§ 51. Mr. A. Royleasked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with plans to make more use of an easterly approach by aircraft landing at Heathrow; and if he will consider the possibility of widening the southern east-west runway 28L at Heathrow thereby enabling aircraft to vary their approach route over London.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuProposals for greater use of easterly approaches have been studied and are kept under review; but since this would also mean more take-offs to the east over densely populated areas such as Hounslow and100W Twickenham, we are not convinced that there would be any overall advantage. The possibility mentioned in the second part of the Question has recently been considered by the British Airports Authority, and it appears that, quite apart from the very heavy cost and possible need to destroy some 30 homes, the approach path would not be appreciably altered.