Originally Posted by G-BOAC
Errm, isn't the second 'runway' just a parallel taxiway (it has to run the length of the runway to serve both ends for the take off/arrivals on the same actual runway). I would be very surprised indeed if there were two runways - I have always thought LGW was definitely single runway.
No they can use it as a runway - and they have done on many occasions - but it is mainly used as a taxiway. As TBS said they are too close together to use at the same time.