LeTigre - 01/02/2012 17:27 GMT
Hi All,
I saw this article last week about RAF Northolt being turned into Heathrow:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16741144
In my opinion this would be far better than a third runway or any other habitat-demolishing plan, and could provide a good excuse for an immediate spur to Heathrow of HS2 that could stop at Northolt to act as a transfer service to other terminals (potentially replacing the expensive Old Oak Common scheme). It wouldn't have to be that busy, it could become a mix of military, general, private and commercial aviation. That way the Queen could stay.
To be quite honest, A380s can't be a lot louder than Hercules planes constantly flying overhead can it?
RichHI1 - 01/02/2012 17:38 GMT
Boy would they need to extend the runway.
LeTigre - 01/02/2012 17:55 GMT
ROFL
"The world's first circular runway at 19 miles long!"
Northolt is no option.
The orientation of the runways at Heathrow is East - West.
At Northolt the orientation of the one usable runway is East North East - West South West. Thus it makes it difficult for operations at both airports.
The length of the runway is 1.6 kms. meaning it is hardly long enough for anything bigger than executive jets and small airliners. London City is the same length. It could be extended 500/600 meters at most. This would not not make it a third runway for Heathrow.
The distance from one to the other is 9.3 kms. crossing, in turn, the A40, A4020, GWML, M4, A4. Connecting the two airports would also necessitate the demolition of HUNDREDS of houses.
The simplest, cheapest, most feasible, most viable solution is the often proposed project of a third runway between the M4 and the A4.
Let the ostrich politicians get their heads out of the sand and give the go-ahead to the third runway´s construction asap.
ChrisBuda82 - 01/02/2012 20:37 GMT
LHR is the best option for third runway and new etc!
fromm BBC
"The Ministry of Defence said "all the options were on the table" but said a sale of the base, once Britain's busiest civilian airport, was not part of a specific programme."
In other words the MOD make money a lot of it from this airport.
Loyal_BA - 02/02/2012 03:18 GMT
I can't see either option ever happening!
BeckyBoop - 02/02/2012 13:14 GMT
Not sure if this would work but hows about they shift the cargo centre to Northolt instead then getting rid of of both T3 and 4 then that would make room for a new super terminal?
RichHI1 - 02/02/2012 13:26 GMT
Problem with moving Cargo from LHR is that not all cargo goes on Cargo Only flights.
the 3rd Runway at LHR is the quickest and best solution to our capacity problems - amazing how politics can mess things up
Merlin1 - 02/02/2012 13:35 GMT
Why not offer to close Northolt in return for a third runway at LHR? OK not a fair swap in terms of movements but the greens/all polictical parties get something and the only loser short term is the business aviation community using Northolt today.
Merlin1 - 02/02/2012 13:35 GMT
Why not offer to close Northolt in return for a third runway at LHR? OK not a fair swap in terms of movements but the greens/all polictical parties get something and the only loser short term is the business aviation community using Northolt today.
RichHI1 - 02/02/2012 13:50 GMT
Good idea, MOD would get nice sum for redevelopment of Northolt. Important thing to me is they build the runway right through the middle of Sipson.
Or there is a possible coallition style solution,build an A4 bypass around the othe side of the airpot using as much of the existing carriageay as possible, mark the A4 up for landing with lights (as highways are in Israel), then when the airport gets busy, you could land and depart planes on the A4 with minimal disturbacne and cost. Consituents form Coallition constiuencies are more likely ot be using M4 so minimizing collateral damage. :-)
BeckyBoop - 02/02/2012 13:50 GMT
Still think REading is the best solutin for a new airport, rail link accross the country, m4, a34, only 30mins form lhr and lots of freeland... perfect! xx
