Congestion charge for Heathrow?

Heathrow Airport will say to the Airports Commission this month that there may be a case for introducing what it terms is a “congestion charge” for people travelling to the airport once improvements in public transport have been delivered.

The airport says this would reduce traffic levels and improve air quality for local communities while raising money for public transport improvements.  It claims the scheme would help ensure there are no more airport related vehicles on the road with a third runway than today.

Dale Keller, Chief Executive of BAR-UK, the airline representative body said: “We look forward to seeing the revised Heathrow proposals and maintain our call for improved rail and road integration at UK airports.  The travelling public want more efficient transportation and will welcome the new rail connections, therefore, at this stage we would question whether taxing motorists further will be fair or even necessary in the longer term.”
 
The airport says the charge would help to discourage drop-off and pick-up and would apply only for those travelling to the airport – not to surrounding roads like the A30, A4, M4 or M25.  Heathrow envisages that there could be exemptions in place for the greenest vehicles, taxis and for local residents, although this would be subject to future consultation. www.heathrowairport.com

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