Heathrow Airport's plans for a third runway face a unique hurdle: the M25 motorway. An innovative solution, involving a 'ramp' over the M25, has been proposed to overcome this obstacle.
Heathrow Airport 's proposed third runway faces a significant obstacle: the M25 motorway, one of Britain's busiest thoroughfares. An initial plan to construct a tunnel beneath the runway has been abandoned in favor of a more cost-effective and time-efficient solution: a 'ramp'. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has stated that this ramp would be a cheaper and quicker way to accommodate the runway.
Located near the M25's busiest section, between junctions 14 and 15, which sees nearly 100 million vehicles annually, the ramp's design is anticipated to resemble a gentle incline, similar to the 'ski jump' found on some aircraft carriers. Chris Chalk, a transport expert on the Institution of Civil Engineers' panel, assures that the ramp will be virtually imperceptible to drivers. The gradient will be less than 1%, meeting the European Aviation Safety Agency's requirements. Chalk emphasizes that the ramp won't impact aircraft performance, as landing planes already descend at a gradient of around 5%. He adds that slight gradients on runways are common practice. The concept of runway bridges spanning busy roads is not novel. Existing examples can be found at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida. Leipzig-Halle Airport in Germany and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport both feature planes taxiing across bridges over motorways. When designing such structures, engineers must allocate ample space on either side of the runway to account for potential incidents on the airfield. Strategically placed slats and appropriate lighting will play a crucial role in preventing driver distraction caused by aircraft overhead, according to Chalk, who works for civil engineering firm Mott MacDonald. Visual buffers will be incorporated to minimize distraction for motorists, as the distant aircraft will not be easily visible. Chalk states that similar setups at other busy airports have not presented any issues
Heathrow Airport Third Runway M25 Motorway Ramp Solution Transportation Infrastructure
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Labour braced for Cabinet split over plans for a third runway at Heathrow AirportWhile Rachel Reeves is yet to confirm that permission for the runway will be granted, she is expected to do so in a speech later this month.
Read more »
Labour braced for Cabinet split over plans for a third runway at Heathrow AirportWhile Rachel Reeves is yet to confirm that permission for the runway will be granted, she is expected to do so in a speech later this month.
Read more »
Heathrow Third Runway Plans: Economic Boost or Environmental Catastrophe?Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to announce plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, aiming to stimulate investment and economic growth. However, the proposal faces strong opposition due to concerns about increased emissions, noise pollution, and negative impacts on local communities. The text explores the potential benefits and drawbacks of the project, considering its economic implications, environmental concerns, and political ramifications.
Read more »
Heathrow Third Runway Plans Face Local OppositionPlans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport have sparked debate, with local residents expressing strong concerns about the environmental impact, while others argue it's crucial for the airport's competitiveness and job creation.
Read more »
Heathrow Expansion Approved: Third Runway to Boost UK EconomyThe UK government is set to approve the controversial expansion of Heathrow Airport, including the construction of a third runway. The move aims to boost economic growth but has faced strong opposition from environmental groups and local residents concerned about increased emissions and noise pollution.
Read more »
Chancellor Rachel Reeves indicates she will overrule environmental objections to a third runway at HeathrowThe chancellor, speaking to Sky News at Davos, says she does not think the UK would be a target for tariffs threatened by president Donald Trump.
Read more »