Heathrow submits plans for third runway - and says it can be built within a decade
Europe's busiest travel hub has submitted its plans to the government - with opponents raising concerns about carbon emissions, noise pollution and environmental impacts.
The west London airport wants permission to create a 3,500m (11,400ft) runway, but insists it is open to considering a shorter one instead.
5:31
In January, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the government supports a "badly needed" expansion to connect the UK to the world and open up new growth opportunities.
But London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is still against a new runway because of "the severe impact" it will have on the capital's residents.
Under Heathrow's proposal, the runway would be constructed to the northwest of its existing location - allowing for an additional 276,000 flights per year.
The airport also wants to create new terminal capacity for 150 million annual passengers - up from 84 million - with plans involving a new terminal complex named T5XW and T5XN.
Terminal 2 would be extended, while Terminal 3 and the old Terminal 1 would be demolished.
The runway would be privately funded, with the total plan costing about £49bn, but some airlines have expressed concern that the airport will hike its passenger charges to pay for the project.
EasyJet chief executive Kenton Jarvis said an expansion would "represent a unique opportunity for easyJet to operate from the airport at scale for the first time and bring with it lower fares for consumers".
Thomas Woldbye, the airport's chief executive, said in a statement that "it has never been more important or urgent to expand Heathrow".
"We are effectively operating at capacity to the detriment of trade and connectivity," he added.
"With a green light from government and the correct policy support underpinned by a fit-for-purpose, regulatory model, we are ready to mobilise and start investing this year in our supply chain across the country.
"We are uniquely placed to do this for the country. It is time to clear the way for take-off."
The M25 motorway would need to be moved into a tunnel under the new runway under the airport's proposal.
London mayor still opposed
Sir Sadiq says City Hall will "carefully scrutinise" the proposals, adding: "I'll be keeping all options on the table in how we respond."
Tony Bosworth, climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth, also said that if Sir Keir Starmer wants to be "seen as a climate leader", then backing Heathrow expansion is "the wrong move".
Earlier this year, Longford resident Christian Hughes told Sky News that his village and others nearby would be "decimated" if an expansion were to go ahead.
2:33
It comes after hotel tycoon Surinder Arora published a rival Heathrow expansion plan, which involves a shorter runway to avoid the need to divert the M25 motorway.
The billionaire's Arora Group said a 2,800m (9,200ft) runway would result in "reduced risk" and avoid "spiralling cost".
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander will consider all plans over the summer so that a review of the Airports National Policy Statement can begin later this year.
It also comes after Sky News reported on a Heathrow Airport-funded group sending leaflets supporting a third runway to thousands of homes across west London.
The group, called Back Heathrow, sent leaflets to people living near the airport, claiming expansion could be the route to a "greener" airport and suggesting it would mean only the "cleanest and quietest aircraft" fly there.
3:21
Opponents of the airport's expansion said the information provided by the group is "incredibly misleading".
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The Sun
12 minutes ago
- The Sun
I'm 27 with £120k in savings – but I don't work 9-5 and I'll even retire at 40… anyone can do it
WE'VE all fantasized about retiring from work early - but for most of us it's more of a dream than a possibility. But you don't need a high-flying job or rich parents to make it happen. Maria Psarkis, 27, explains how she has built up £120,000 in saving and plans to retire at just 40. 6 6 6 Maria is just one of a new breed of SHINERs - Side Hustlers Habitually Investing - nurturing income and retiring early. It might not sound catchy - but this group of savvy savers use side hustles and multiple income streams to build their wealth - and avoid the traditional nine to five. In their case, it's their forties when they plan to stop working, or cut their workload to just a few hours a week. Maria explains: "I've upcycled, grafted, and used SEVEN side hustles to build £150k in savings, businesses and investments. "I don't and won't do nine to five. I'm creating my own 'side hustle retirement fund' and building investments by multitasking. "It's not about quitting forever. It's about freedom and being able to choose how and when I work." Maria is not alone. Around 14% of Gen Z - those born after 1996 - want to soft retire in their 40s and stop full-time work before they hit 50, according to a 2024 YouGov survey. But rather than dreaming of sitting on the beach or enjoying a round of golf, many younger people like Maria see soft retiring as a flexible lifestyle shift – not a full stop. They want to be their own bosses and do fewer hours, work remotely and use side hustles to give them financial freedom. Psychic's path to manifesting money and getting rich | Talking Money For Maria this means being a landlord, running a fashion business and working in hospitality, consultancy and content creation. Side hustle empire Maria started to build up her side hustle empire while she was in school and still lived with her parents. "I don't come from a rich family," she said. "When I was 17, I started working on Saturdays doing admin tasks. I tried to save 60% of my wages." When she turned 18, her gran also gave her £2,000, which, when added to her Saturday job and holiday work, brought her savings up to £7,000. After leaving school, Maria worked for twelve months as a waitress, doing event management, part-time modelling and social media marketing. "I am not the typical blonde-haired model," Maria explains. "Agents liked my dark hair, nose and what they called 'Arabic looks'. "I was living at home, so I could save almost 70% of what I earned. I used that year to develop multiple skills at entry-level positions." In 2017, Maria began her hospitality management and marketing degree at the University of Chester. On top of her classes, she also worked four or five shifts a week as a waitress or at hospitality events. "I budgeted £100 a week for travel and food and saved what I could," she said. "I was modelling for fashion students, did catalogue modelling, swimwear and clubwear for fashion companies, and was helping people market themselves on social media." As part of her degree, Maria won the Entrepreneurship in action competition with her business plan for a sustainable clubwear and Gen Z fashion brand. "The judges told me my idea could be launched on a budget and would work," she said. "It was the first time anyone had really praised my business nous and money-making ideas." During that time, Maria became obsessed with side hustles, spreading investment risk and saving. She explains: "I did go out, but limited my spending. "I had fun, but on a budget. I moved in with relatives in the second year to save even more money and cut my student loan liability." By this point, Maria's savings had reached £40,000, so she decided to start investing. But she ended up learning the hard way that investments can go wrong. She chose to try bitcoin trading and invested £7,000 - but soon lost it all. "I ended up being scammed. I was gutted," she said. "Meanwhile, two friends I'd loaned money to could not pay back the £300 I lent them. "Losing £7,300 was my financial rock bottom. I was furious with myself and that anger fuelled my plan to take control and aim to soft retire at 40. "It made me hungry to make sure I was financially protected, never suffered stupid exposure levels, and was always making, not losing, money." The situation made Maria even more focused on her finances. She decided to pay £4,500 upfront for her Master of Science in Management and Marketing to avoid having to pay interest on a student loan. She made extra cash to cover the costs by working as a waitress, events manager, model, travel agent and in social media marketing and advertising. Saved thousands She says: "I made back what I lost and added to my savings. "I had money in a savings account and was using an investment Isa. "I also regularly switched current accounts when offers came up on interest rates or cash bonuses." Maria also took out a credit card with a £2,000 limit to build up her credit score, but made sure to always pay off the balance in full. By 2022, she had amassed £70,000 in savings, including earnings from part-time work, interest from her Isa and side hustles. "I worked and saved hard for the money," she admits. "My financial rock bottom inspired me. I had the savings, but I still was not investment smart." Maria decided to move in with her grandmother in Manchester to save thousands of pounds in rent payments. She used £5,000 of her savings to launch her fashion brand, XX-Attire. The company initially offered clubwear and swimwear, but now sells work-friendly fashion to customers who want sustainable but edgy fashion. Maria said: "I did pop-up shops and catwalk shows in Manchester, London, Greece and Thailand. "I worked on the clothes myself, and the business is now making a profit. 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"People don't understand, Gen Z are not about one job, we're about multiple jobs or side hustles. "I earn money from my social media platforms, monetising them so instead of freebies, I get paid from the creators' fund or sponsored posts. "This can pull in £2,000 to £3,000 a month. I also earn a percentage from clients I've built social media content for, through their creators' fund payments." Maria has continued to run specialist hospitality events and says the skills she's learnt since she was 17 now help her to turn a profit. "I've also developed a new side hustle with my partner, who is a chef. "I help people to plan unusual date nights, hire someone to cook for them at home or use simple recipes to recreate restaurant-style food themselves. "It's a unique idea that adds another side hustle to my businesses." She also earns £200 a month by working as a travel agent. Meanwhile, she makes £400 a month from a photo studio that she leases and uses for photo shoots, makeovers and social media marketing. Maria saves a minimum of £1,000 or more a month. "I learnt to do my own accounting at university and have an accountant sign off on it," she said. "I also pay £200 a month into a self invested personal pension and top it up when I can." Maria's now on track to build an investment portfolio, including multiple side hustle businesses, Isas and her fashion brand, and expects to be worth more than half a million within five years. "I have fun. I go out. But I never miss an opportunity or let an idea slip away," she said. "Many people want to be different. They want a side hustle but are scared because the last generation told them nine to five jobs. 'I don't want a rocking chair in my forties. I plan to be soft retired, bossing it on a beach with a laptop." 6 6 Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@
Telegraph
12 minutes ago
- Telegraph
The complete guide to using public transport in London
Whether you're simply trying to get from A to B, or eager to soak up a dose of London at its most authentic, making use of the city's extensive public transport network – whether by bus, bicycle, train, tram or boat – is an essential part of any visit to the British capital. It is also a pleasure all its own: take sitting on the top deck of the 159 bus as it swings over Westminster Bridge, for example, trundling towards the newly gleaming Big Ben, the windscreen perfectly framing the majesty of the Palace of Westminster (perhaps better known to tourists as the Houses of Parliament). It's also usually the most efficient way to get around. After a lovely day on Hampstead Heath, it might be tempting to hop in a cab to those dinner reservations in Bermondsey – but you'd be foolish to eschew the Northern Line, on the Underground, which will likely get you there in half the time (and at a fraction of the cost). It is vast, however: the Underground – known in other places as metro or subway, and usually referred to by locals as the Tube – alone comprises 11 lines and 250 miles (400 km) of track, and covers Greater London, as well as parts of the neighbouring counties of Buckinghamshire, Essex and Hertfordshire. There is, therefore, no shame in requiring a little help in getting to grips with it. Here we break down the best ways to plan your journey, pay for tickets, and avoid the crowds. Types of transport How to pay Planning your journey Tips and tricks Transport etiquette How to get to and from London's airports Types of transport Transport for London (TfL) is used by approximately 4million travellers each day – and that's just on the Tube. All the services across TfL's network are designed to complement each other, and are intended to be used together. Tube London's 11 lines run from 5am to midnight Monday to Saturday, with slightly reduced hours on Sunday. The Night Tube runs on some lines on Fridays and Saturdays. Fares are based on the distance and time travelled, and start at £2.80. It is essential to tap in when you pass through the gates to enter, and to tap again when you exit. (See payment advice below.) It's also worth bearing in mind that the Tube has been around since 1863, and – as the world's oldest underground passenger railway – sometimes, it shows. This can be a positive – as in the beautiful jewel-coloured tiles at Russell Square and Covent Garden stations, which are well over 100 years old – or not. Things break, and leak, often. Elizabeth Line Launched in 2022 and named for the late Queen (though often referred to by locals as the 'Lizzie line'), this runs east-west across Greater London, terminating at Heathrow Airport or Reading in the west, and Abbey Wood or Shenfield in the east. This is a fast and good-value way to travel to central London from Heathrow, and can also be used at the airport to transfer free of charge between Terminals 2 & 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 (note: you will have to tap in and out, but won't be charged). Bus London has nearly 9,000 buses running across more than 670 different routes, with fares starting at £1.75. Some routes run all night, though less frequently, others run from roughly 6am-1am, so do check the operating hours. You pay by tapping on the yellow card-reader by the driver as you enter the bus (you don't need to tap when you exit). Docklands Light Railway (DLR) This system serves the East of London, connecting the city's two financial hubs, the City of London and Canary Wharf. Fares and payment are the same as on the Tube. Overground The six lines of this rail network connect London to many of its suburbs; fares and payment are the same as for the Tube. National Rail This is the organisation that sends trains all over the country, including to Gatwick Airport. Buy tickets in stations or online and insert/tap them when you go in and out of the barriers as on the Tube. Tram This light rail tram system serves parts of South London, where there are fewer Underground stations than in the North. Fares and payment are like buses. Santander Cycles Once, and sometimes still, referred to as 'Boris bikes', after the London mayor who made them popular, these can be hired from docking stations around the city for as little as £3.50/24hrs (the dockless electric Lime bikes you will see around town, by contrast, charge a £1 unlock fee plus 29p per minute, £3.99 per 30 minutes, and £6.99 per 60 minutes). Make sure you're ready to cycle on the left side of the street and follow all traffic laws. London cyclists are aggressive, as are drivers, so do take a look at the cycle lanes if you'd prefer to plan a quieter route. Find more advice on cycling in London here. Riverbus Skip the traffic and take in spectacular views on London's water bus service; this is particularly good for zipping between Westminster and the Tower of London, or Borough Market. Unlike pricer river tour boats, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers does not offer guided commentary, but it does get you to many central spots between Putney and Woolwich from just £5.90. You can save nearly a third on standard fares (purchased at the piers) if you buy your tickets online or pay with contactless or an Oyster card. Cable car Costing from £13 for an adult ticket, London's IFS Cloud Cable Car takes passengers from Greenwich to the Docklands and on to the ExCeL Center, all in the East of the city, offering spectacular views. How to pay Oyster cards Using a prepaid Oyster card (a small plastic payment card) is often better value than buying a Day Travelcard (paper ticket), and is the best choice for most visitors. You can choose how much to put on each card, and top up at stations or online. Oyster cards have daily and weekly spending caps (for example, if you travel in Zone 1 only, the daily maximum is £8.90 for unlimited rides, and the weekly cap is £44.70). Remember: one card per person, tap in and out. Alternatively, you can order a Visitor Oyster in advance to be sent to your house (including international addresses), pre-paying as much as you like; the balance never expires. Do bear in mind that each passenger must have their own card, however, and that the Visitor Oyster cannot be purchased in London. Contactless Tapping in/out with a physical bank card or one saved on your phone works on all public transportation, and fares are automatically capped on a daily or weekly basis, so you always pay the minimum fare. However, if your bank card was issued outside the UK, check whether transaction fees or bank charges apply for each tap. It's also important to remember that each person in your group must tap in/out with a different card (ie. you cannot pay for multiple people with one bank card). Paper tickets You can buy single or return tickets at machines in Underground stations. These are best if you do not plan to travel frequently, or if you need a paper receipt for business expenses reporting. Paying for children and pets Under the age of 11, children can travel free on public transportation; they can go through the wider gates of the Underground with a fee-paying adult. Children ages 11-15 can travel for free or at a significant discount with a Young Visitor Oyster. There is no charge for pets. Planning your journey Journey planning apps Google Maps and Transport for London's own planning app are both useful resources – but, in my experience, it's Citymapper that typically offers the most efficient plans, with excellent up-to-the-minute information on delays (which are frequent). Don't forget to walk London is one of the world's great walking cities; there is much to be seen on the streets. But choose your time on foot judiciously: try one of our expert's 10 best walking routes, choosing between a turn around the Royal Parks, a meander through the legal backstreets, or a section of the 184 mile-long Thames Path, that follows the winding river. Accessibility If you are traveling with a pushchair (stroller), bear in mind that each bus is restricted to two on board at any time, so you may have to wait for the next bus. Pushchairs are a common sight on the Tube, but not all stations have lifts, so plan ahead to avoid having to ask for help getting up and down stairs. Similarly, wheelchair users can access buses via the rear door ramp, but do check in advance to ensure that you will be able to access your chosen Tube platform step-free, as well as for transfer access on your planned route. TfL has a step-free Tube map, and its journey-planning app and website have a step-free filter. Tips and tricks Avoid rush hour (roughly 7.30-8.45am and 5-7pm) if at all possible – trains and buses will be especially busy. Always check in advance whether a station is open; for example, Holloway Station (Piccadilly Line) closes when there are football matches at the nearby Emirates stadium, because it cannot handle the volume of fans, who are diverted to nearby Arsenal or Highbury & Islington stations in the hours before and after a match. Pickpocketing is a common problem on London's public transport, so keep an eye on your belongings and ensure any bags are securely closed. Transport etiquette Priority seats At the front of buses and close to Underground train doors you will notice priority seats. These are intended for people with mobility challenges, disabilities, invisible impairments, pregnant women, or those with other conditions or illnesses that make it difficult to stand. Transport for London issues blue badges (or 'Baby on Board' badges for pregnant women) for people to wear to indicate that they would like to be offered a seat, but it is also customary to offer seats to the elderly. Priority seats are not reserved for children, and children should be prepared to proactively give them up. Escalators Stand on the right, walk on the left. Locals get very grumpy when tourists do not follow this protocol. Corridors and stairs Walk on the left-hand side. Wait for others to exit buses and Tube cars before you enter: You will hear announcements to this effect, and locals strictly follow this flow of traffic by standing to either side of an open Tube door and ensuring that everyone has left before they board. Queuing on the platform There's a subtle queuing system while waiting for trains or buses, particularly at busy times; note who was there before you and don't jump the queue. It's not a cafe: It's generally frowned upon to eat on the Tube or bus, particularly if it's fragrant food – though you are likely to see young people necking beers or tinned cocktails at weekends. Travelling with animals It is not unusual to see cats in carriers, or dogs on buses, trains or Tube cars. Make sure that your dog is kept on a lead at all times and under control. Ask the owner before stroking a dog; animals can be nervous in crowds. Phone calls and headphones: A topical issue – so-called 'bare beating' (listening to music without headphones or talking loudly on the phone in public) is rife on TfL, but should be avoided if you want to avoid judgemental stares. How to get to and from London's airports Getting to and from Heathrow, Gatwick, City, Luton and Stansted is often faster – and dramatically cheaper – if you travel by public transport rather than by taxi (though you should always check whether there are planned closures on the line you plan to use ahead of time). Here are the best ways to travel to London's airports: Heathrow Sitting to the west of London, Heathrow is the city's biggest international airport – and the fourth busiest in the world. You can reach it via National Rail, the Elizabeth Line, and the Piccadilly Line on the Underground. The fastest option is the Heathrow Express, which goes to London Paddington in under 20 minutes, every 15 minutes, but this is also the priciest option, at £25 for a single journey. The Underground journey can be long, especially if you are going to East or North London, but costs from £5.80. The bus would be cheaper still, but might take quite some time. If they are within reasonably easy distance of one of its stations, most Londoners will opt for the Elizabeth Line – which costs £13.90 for a single journey between Paddington and Heathrow, taking between 23 and 27 minutes. Gatwick London's second-busiest airport, Gatwick, lies 30 miles south of the centre of town, in the country of West Sussex. The Gatwick Express train (from £21.50 one way) runs every 15 minutes from London Victoria to the airport, and at 30 minutes is the fastest option. There are other (cheaper) National Rail options too, however – run by Southern and Thameslink from several central London stations. City London City Airport is the smallest and most convenient airport for short-haul flights, sitting just 6 miles east of central London, not far from Canary Wharf; unsurprisingly, it sees lots of business travel. It has a stop on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which then connects to the Underground system at Canning Town, Stratford and Bank stations, where you can change for the line you require. Stansted London's third-busiest airport, Stansted, sits 42 miles northeast of central London. The fastest way to get to the centre is on the Stansted Express (tickets from £9.90 in advance), which runs every 15 minutes to Liverpool Street station; the journey takes 47 minutes, or you can change after 30 minutes, at Tottenham Hale, for the Victoria Line. Luton London's fourth-busiest airport is 34 miles north-west of London's centre, in Bedfordshire. Thameslink operates services to London Bridge, Blackfriars, and St Pancras International. The Luton Airport Express runs every half hour, with a journey time of 23 minutes to St Pancras station. You can buy tickets in advance for as little as £10, including the four-minute transfer on the Luton DART (Direct Air–Rail Transit).
Telegraph
12 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Blenheim aristocrat's 500 homes plan ‘could cause traffic congestion'
An aristocrat who owns one of the country's most famous stately homes is embroiled in a row with locals over building 500 homes on his land. James Spencer-Churchill, 12th Duke of Marlborough, wants to build the new homes close to Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Blenheim Estate Homes, the estate's housing operation, said the plans would 'encourage community integration and social cohesion'. In planning documents submitted to Cherwell District Council, the company added that the plans consist of 'high-quality new homes which will include a range of house types, sizes and tenures to deliver market and affordable housing for young people, families and the elderly.' But locals have expressed concerns that the plans could overwhelm local infrastructure and cause traffic congestion problems. 'Unsustainable and harmful expansion' The Campaign to Protect Old Woodstock, a residents' campaign group that aims to protect the leafy market town from over development and damage to its natural environment and heritage, told the Telegraph the plans could also impact the Blenheim Estate as well as local health and school facilities. The 11,500-acre palace and its vast grounds, granted Unesco world heritage status in 1987, are owned by the Duke, who is the great nephew of Sir Winston Churchill. The day-to-day running is taken care of by a board of trustees, which also oversees Blenheim Estate Homes. Claudio Calvino, who lives in Woodstock, said: 'This development represents an unsustainable and harmful expansion that would irreversibly damage Woodstock's character, overwhelm its services, and create significant environmental and heritage risks.' Another local, Anne Cooper, said the plans were 'absolutely shameful' and added: 'Please, NO more. Oxfordshire is, or rather was, known as a beautiful RURAL county. Villages are desperately trying to retain their community values, but being overwhelmed by vast numbers of new housing estates.' Ulrike Parkinson, a fellow local resident, added: 'Woodstock has reached saturation point regarding infrastructure and traffic, and the town cannot cope with any further development.' James Carr, who lives in the leafy market town, indicated that the Blenheim Estate said the plans were 'out of touch' and said: 'Historic landowners making out of touch plans, chasing revenue generation, should be consigned to the past and not the future.' Owen Davies, who also lives in the town, said: 'The population has doubled in size, but none of the infrastructure has. The GP was already at capacity before any of the new developments, but now it's overwhelmed and has literally fallen apart. Both schools are oversubscribed. The Co-op is not fit for the number of people who need to buy food, so everyone has to go further afield for a full shop. This is now 1000s of people without adequate, accessible food supply and services.' Concerns were addressed 'openly and honestly' Woodstock town council, of which the Duke is a member, also objected to the plans and wrote: 'The farmland and parkland surrounding Blenheim are essential to understanding and appreciating its historic character. Development would urbanise this landscape. This proposal represents unsustainable, unplanned, and harmful development.' Meanwhile, the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board called for a financial contribution to be made from the estate to 'co-fund the extension/re-configuration of healthcare provision'. But other locals claimed Blenheim Senior Management addressed concerns 'openly and honestly' at a recent residents' meeting. Cherwell District Council will ultimately decide whether the planning application is successful by September. In planning documents, Blenheim Estate Homes argues: 'The ambition and vision of Blenheim Estate Homes is to build beautiful homes and create thriving communities where people will enjoy living and working, now and in the future.' The application also says the development will provide a mix of house types and tenures, including a target of 35 per cent affordable housing. The estate previously angered locals over plans for one of the UK's biggest solar farms, which could provide enough energy to power 330,000 homes, on the estate. The plan is being backed by the family of the Duke of Marlborough and, in particular, by his eldest son George, who stands to inherit the estate. Conservationists also previously raised concerns about plans to bring a golden sculpture called the Gilded Cage, representing the struggle of refugees in the modern world, to the estate.
