Minutes of meeting of stakeholder group on surface access to Heathrow airport

Minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2005

Attendees: David Gray (DfT), Mike Noakes (BAA), Jeff Thompson (DfT), Vernon Murphy (BAA), Claire Spink (DfT), Paul Ellis (BA) David Knight (DfT), David Cooper (GOSE), Anthony Ferguson (DfT), Keith Berryman (CLRL), Jenny May (DfT), Ian Butcher (TfL), Tabitha Stebbings (BAA), Roger Wiltshire (BATA), Mike Forster (BAA), Graham Hanson (GoL), Martin Heffer (BAA), Maurice Hudson (HACC), Andy Braithwaite (BAA), Paul Robinson (HA), John Ryder (BAA), Richard McGreevy (GLA), Mike Toms (BAA)

Apologies: Patrick Bateson (SRA), Paul Harwood (HA), Kevin Austin (GLA), Julia Bray (TfL),

Item 1 - Overview of wider PSDH progress - oral report by DfT

1. David Gray introduced the meeting and welcomed those present. He reminded the group of the overall remit for the Project for the Sustainable Development of Heathrow (PSDH) and gave a brief update on the other main areas of work - mixed mode and air quality.

Item 2 - Heathrow data book - presentation by BAA

2. Andy Braithwaite gave an overview presentation on the current position, including detail on passenger origins and numbers of staff at Heathrow in 1999 compared to 2004, which showed that staff numbers have fallen. The data also included employee residency and sustainability initiatives, and the proposed introduction of new rail services through Heathrow Connect, due to commence on 12 June.

3. Although there had been a significant recent growth in public transport patronage and Heathrow compares well in PT mode share terms with other large urban areas, the mode share of transport used by staff has remained consistent and car use generally is still increasing. Detail was also provided on the relative contribution of various sources to total NOx concentrations at particular points around Heathrow in 2002. In all cases airport related traffic contributed only a small share of the total emissions, although it was accepted that the relative contributions from aircraft and road traffic would change over time.

Item 3 - Assessment of rail options

AirTrack - update on review of Business Case

4. David Gray provided an update, in Patrick Bateson's absence. Following confirmation of AirTrack operability, the SRA had engaged consultants to look at the Business Case and that work was largely complete. Total capital costs had been broadly confirmed, but Arup's believed patronage would be lower than the AirTrack Forum's estimate, mainly due to fewer through-Heathrow trips and a lower mode switch from coach and bus. The benefit/cost ration was still coming out positive at around 2:1, compared with AirTrack Forum's 2.7:1. That assumed a 2 runway Heathrow with no road user charging, so it might prove conservative if there were further growth at Heathrow. Arup's would complete sensitivity testing shortly and a final report was expected in the first week of June.

5. In response to a question about appraisal criteria for the scheme, Jeff Thompson confirmed that the standard appraisal methodology would be used, along with passenger forecast numbers agreed with BAA. It was confirmed that AirTrack would also be assessed in the context of future growth scenarios for Heathrow.

Crossrail - update by DfT/CLRL

6. Anthony Ferguson reported the process for the Crossrail Hybrid Bill. The Bill was introduced to Parliament in February this year and consideration might take up to two years. The Second Reading of the Bill would probably be in mid-June. There would then be a two-three week petitioning period for any objections to the Bill. These would be considered by a Select Committee, probably starting in the autumn. This process might take a year or more. The same process would be followed in the House of Lords.

7. Keith Berryman provided more detail on the Crossrail scheme. West of Paddington, Crossrail would run on the relief lines currently used currently by suburban operators. Crossrail would run 4 trains per hour to Maidenhead and there would be a further 4 trains per hour running to Heathrow airport. There would be 24 trains per hour through central London.

8. Crossrail would require major construction at Airport Junction to provide a higher capacity junction connecting Heathrow services to the relief and main lines.

9. The Bill includes powers for an additional platform at Hayes and Harlington station, which would cost £3-4m to build and would, for example, provide additional resilience in the event of late running or having to turn trains short. The current planning assumption was for 4 Crossrail trains an hour to T4, with a possible further 2 to T5 (as well as Heathrow Express) under consideration.

10. Significant works would be required at Paddington station. Construction work was expected to include a blockade (no trains running) at Paddington Station for around 2 weeks with a reduced service for 1 week either side of the blockade. Discussion would need to take place with Network Rail and others on how the impacts of this could be mitigated.

11. The detail of the service pattern was not yet agreed. The Bill does not specify the service pattern. Crossrail would be in place by 2014 (or possibly later). There would be further consultation on safeguarding extension of Crossrail to Reading. Crossrail is assumed at this stage to provide a service at least every 15 minutes at all stations. The stopping pattern had still to be agreed - there are no service level agreements as yet.

12. The issue of funding was raised. Anthony Ferguson reported that a significant public sector contribution was anticipated but the arrangements for the balance of funding was not yet agreed. The Department for Transport and HM Treasury would be undertaking a consultation exercise on possible alternative funding mechanisms this summer.

13. Paul Ellis commented that the service pattern would affect the extent to which BA would feel able to support Crossrail; BA would like more certainty on this. Anthony Ferguson took note.

Item 4 - Surface access modelling - presentation by BAA

14. Martin Heffer gave a presentation on surface access traffic modelling, which was needed to support the air quality assessments, and the key features of the intended approach on PSDH. This comprised a regional highway model linked to a demand management model, to represent the impact of wider management methods; and a local area model to reflect local traffic levels and demand management impacts. BAA would also draw on national rail models and the airport mode share model to drive public transport mode split. Motts were preparing a specification for the local model, so urgent decisions could be taken and surveys mounted in June. BAA were in dialogue with the Highways Agency about use of their strategic M25 model.

15. Martin Heffer explained that they had been engaged with 3 local boroughs who were very supportive of the work. BAA had also talked with the air quality panels to understand what was required for air quality assessment purposes. The modelling work would look at airport and non-airport traffic. The next stage of the work would include a demand model which would take into account rail schemes like Crossrail and Airtrack.

Item 5 - Approach to forward work - report by BAA

16. Tabitha Stebbings summarised the steps being taken to ensure appropriate model development and survey work to feed in to the air quality modelling later in the year. The timetable was very tight, but BAA remained confident that they would get everything delivered in time for scenario assessments at the end of 2005, assuming that agreement is reached on the delivery of the regional transport model inputs to the process. BAA were also looking at the implications of a sixth terminal.

17. David Gray reported that air quality modelling would take place around the end of the year, following completion of the technical work in September/ October. Arrangements were also being made for a peer review of the technical air quality process. This would precede the planned mixed mode consultation in Spring 2006.

18. The air quality analysis would continue into 2006 on runway issues, and its outcome, along with responses to the mixed mode consultation, would inform recommendations to Ministers towards the end of 2006.

Item 6 - Any other business

19. David Gray asked the Group to say if there were any particular issues they would like to see addressed in future meetings. Paul Ellis suggested it would be helpful to have presentations on Highways Agency policy towards the strategic road network and on demand management/charging issues. Richard McGreevy reported that TfL had no plans for congestion charging at Heathrow.

20. In response to a question, Martin Heffer confirmed that BAA expected to publish the Heathrow interim Masterplan in June.

21. The next meeting would take place in September - date to be confirmed.