Heathrow Airport has proposed a congestion charge for passengers driving to the airport, as part of its plan to build a third runway.

This scheme is intended to help ensure that there would be no more airport related vehicles on the road than there are today if a third runway is approved. Heathrow expects a congestion charge to reduce traffic levels and improve air quality, while raising money for public transport improvements.

The measure is included in Heathrow’s final submission to the Airports Commission this week. Gatwick has also submitted its final report to the Commission.

Heathrow head of surface access Simon Earles said: “Once improvements to public transport to the airport have been delivered we believe there may be a case for a congestion charge.

“The idea is at an early stage and we will of course consult on these plans at the appropriate time.”

Heathrow has made a commitment to increase the proportion of passengers who use public transport to access the airport from 40% today to more than 50% by 2030. It claims a congestion charge would help to discourage drop off and pick up and would apply only for those travelling to the airport.

Responding to the announcement, London Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: "It was only a matter of time before this Heathrow bombshell was dropped.

“On the eve of final submissions to the Airports Commission, Heathrow has been forced to announce unprecedented measures to tackle one of the huge environmental challenges of their expansion plans,” he added.

(Photo: Heathrow Airport)

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