After Heathrow Airport and a competing bidder submitted plans for a third runway at the flagship London airport, the competition to oversee the multibillion-pound project has been thrown wide open. But industry expert, Paul Le Blond, has warned that speed and the need to balance environmental challenges, economic benefits, transport links and community support must be considered carefully to deliver a world class solution. 

READ: Heathrow unveils ‘shovel-ready’ expansion plans to unlock growth

In the latest update, Heathrow Airport has said a third runway could be built in the next decade at a cost of £21bn. However, the Arora Group – a hotel company – has also announced that its bid to oversee the redevelopment, competing with Heathrow, the current operator.

With over 40 years’ experience in the field, Paul advises and works with the Aviation Policy Group within CILT UK (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK). The group advises the government on current aviation matters as well as a range of matters impacting logistics and transport.

Paul explained: “I warmly welcome plans being submitted by Heathrow and others and can see lots of potential in all of these. However, as the deadline for submitting plans is now over, I want to urge the government to start moving at pace with the next steps. Covid-19 put a big dent on the timetable and its time we went up a gear. There is a clear need for a third runway, and as global trade and movement rises, Heathrow and the country as whole must keep up with changing demand or be left behind.”

But Paul has also warned any expansion must not fail key stakeholders. Paul added: “Any expansion strategy must prioritise public transport integration, leveraging existing transport hubs and accommodating new rail links. Crucially, all environmental impacts – including noise, local air quality, and greenhouse gas emissions – must remain within statutory limits. Finally, community support is also fundamental to this plan and must include input from those being impacted.”