Originally Posted by TedToToe

I'm not convinced that the business case is there, and certainly not for a full length runway which crosses the M25! Yes, London needs an additional runway, but why would you build it at LHR when one could be built at LGW or STN for a lot less? Yes, the previous investigation concluded that, if you're going to build it anywhere, then it should be at LHR. Well, times have changed and with the decline in business travel this means that LHR's pre-eminence as a hub is not what it was; look at BA's reduction in frequencies to business centres across Europe, and the longhaul destinations that have gone and are unlikely to come back - YYC, ICN, KIX etc. Growth is at the LCC end of the market, and that can be more easily achieved at LGW, STN and a myriad of regional airports. It's clear that there will be no government money here, meaning that the necessary public transport upgrades (such as the southern and western rail approaches) would need to be funded as well! So, I can see LHR struggling to get finance and stakeholder support in place. I think Waterside will be safe for some considerable time to come!