November 2, 1995. Copyright, 1995, Graphic News. All rights reserved

HEATHROWÕS TERMINAL 5 UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
By Nicholas Booth, Science Editor

LONDON, November 2, Graphic News- LondonÕs bid to become the central European hub for the worldÕs air travellers is to be endorsed by the chairman of British Airways. Sir Colin Marshall will present his case to the Public Enquiry into Terminal 5 on November 8, when he will be cross-examined by local residents and opponents to the plan to help relieve expected passenger congestion at the airport. If the enquiry, due to end in the spring of 1997, recommends construction, the terminal should be completed by the year 2003, at an estimated cost of £1.2 billion.

The terminal is badly needed, say airport authorities. Last year, 52 million passengers passed through Heathrow and next year it is estimated that there will be 54 million Ð close to the limit beyond which passengers cannot be accommodated. It is estimated that 30 per cent of passengers passing through Heathrow are there to change planes and donÕt leave the airport at all. A new terminal with two satellite terminals would allow an additional 30 million passengers to be accommodated each year.

By judiciously using up spare capacity in existing runway operations, a third runway will not be needed. The next generation of airliners will carry up to 800 passengers at a time, so greater clearance will be needed at gates where they disembark. Terminal 5 will allow for this and the expected increase in wingspans from larger, so-called ÔstretchedÕ jets. The terminal will be built on the sight of an old sludge works known as Perry Oaks, towards the western perimeter of the airport.

Local opposition groups are worried about both noise and transport pollution. A new generation of quieter aircraft engines will go some way to alleviate noise pollution: Heathrow officials claim that there will be only an eight per cent increase in the numbers of aircraft arriving each year. The terminal will also have a unique ÔTransportation InterchangeÕ where cars, coaches, tube and train will converge, on different levels, at the same point. At present, an estimated 34 per cent of people arrive at Heathrow by public transport and the target is 50 per cent, a figure whose attainability will be aided by the fast rail link currently under construction from Paddington station. The airport authorities point out that some 16,500 jobs will be created to staff the new terminal.

Sources: British Airports Authority, British Airways