Highways officials have called on the airport to introduce measures to “reduce driver distraction” The Times reports, citing Highways England’s response to a Department for Transport report on Heathrow’s proposals.
These measures could include lengthening the tunnel beneath the runway, simplifying the road network to reduce the number of decisions drivers have to make, and extending the landing zone so aircraft do not touch down directly above the road.
Heathrow’s proposals for its new two-mile runway would see the motorway moved 150 metres west and increased to six lanes in each direction. Full details will be published in June.
Highways England assessment said: “Consideration must be given to measures to reduce driver distraction as a result of the runway crossing the M25 and associated aircraft movements both on taxiways and take-off and landings.
"Measures which reduce decision making for motorists in this location should be considered.”
Other concerns included “fatigue damage” to the bridge caused by large aircraft.
It does, however, state the proposal is deliverable with with “appropriate mitigation”.
A Heathrow spokesperson told The Times similar schemes had been delivered safely elsewhere in the world, adding it had already received Highways England’s conditional approval.
