Heathrow third runway: rage over public transport uncertainty and pricetag

The need for additional public transport capacity has been highlighted as an issue that could potentially ground plans to expand Heathrow.

"TfL concluded that the Airport Commission had underplayed the need for spending on better transport access to Heathrow by an incredible margin of £10bn - £15bn. It clearly stated that the commissioned had underestimated demand... One that has not changed is the challenges that must be met. I remain convinced that Heathrow cannot meet them," London Assembly transport committee chair Caroline Pidgeon said in an article for The Guardian.

"Campaigners claim taxpayers will be asked to cough up £17bn to pay for the transport links needed to deal with the expansion," The Sun reported, while The Evening Standard, backing expansion at Heathrow, included a column from opponent Simon Jenkins who raged that the funds for the associated infrastructure "will not be available for other, far needier, parts of London's transport network".

The BBC On-line said that current transport routes "could" be developed into the enlarged airport include a Heathrow Express extension and a Great Western Railways service, while Crossrail and Southern Rail "may" also provide transport services into the airport. It reported: "Heathrow says the taxpayer will pay £1.2bn for surface infrastructure that is deemed to benefit the wider travelling public as opposed to just airport users, though the Airports Commission puts this figure at £5bn and TfL estimates £15bn..."