Ministers will also look at providing a new high-speed rail network from the capital to northern
Chris Selway, director of consulting at Atisreal, said the rail hub had to be fully explored now the third runway was proceeding.
“We simply have to cut car and air miles to reduce CO2 emissions and move more people in bulk – Arup say just 22% of passengers arrive by rail or metro into Heathrow and that has to change.
“With around 70m passengers a year they can’t all get in and out via the M25/M4.”
Selway added: “If the government is preparing the way for announcing more substantial investment in rail then bring it on – we need the same for freight too, so hopefully Goodman’s proposals to revive the LIFE scheme will meet with approval.”
The Campaign to Protect Rural England immediately attacked the government’s decision in favour of expansion at Heathrow.
“This decision makes a mockery of ministers’ justification of recent controversial planning reforms, which they suggested would improve local democracy and help tackle climate change,” said Andrea Davies, CPRE’s senior campaigner.
