§ Lord Mountevansasked Her Majesty's Government:
What additions or improvements to the motorway system will be needed to cater for traffic using the proposed fifth terminal at Heathrow.
The Earl of CaithnessA number of schemes to improve the M.25 and M.4 in the vicinity of Heathrow are already in the national road programme and these will be needed whether or not a fifth terminal is to be built at Heathrow. In addition, road access to the proposed terminal would require a dedicated spur from the M.25, and widening and junction improvements on the M.4 between its Junction 3 and the M.25. We are adding schemes for these improvements to the programme so that the details of the road and traffic implications of a new terminal at Heathrow can be developed and considered alongside the planning application. We must stress that most of these further improvements will be needed only if the proposal for Terminal 5 receives consent. We have reached agreement with BAA on appropriate funding arrangements.