Present:
Val Shawcross CBE – HATF (Chair)
Mark Frost – HATF (Independent Technical Advisor)
Timothy Wells – HAL (Surface Access Travel and Policy Lead)
Tim Leech – HAL (Head of Strategy and Sponsorship, Surface Access)
Tony Caccavone – HAL (Surface Access Director until 30/09/2022)
Sophie Chapman – HAL (Surface Access Director from 30/09/2022)
Matthew Wooll – HAL (Route Development Lead)
Joe Bashford – HAL (Sustainable Development Manager)
Simran Kullar – HAL (Travel Demand Manager)
Kris Beuret – Representative for local communities
Alan Tilly – London Borough of Hillingdon (Transport and Aviation Team Manager)
Paul Millin – Heathrow Strategic Planning Group (HSPG) (Chair, Transport Sub Group) Richard Harrington – Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership (Chief Executive Officer) Peter Bradley – UK Coach Operators Association (UKCOA) (Managing Director)
Adam Tyndall – BusinessLDN (Programme Director)
Christian Wolmar – London Cycling Campaign (Trustee)
Matt Furniss – Surrey County Council (Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure) Liam King – Transport for London
David Hill – Airline Operators Committee (AOC)
Peter Fisher – National Highways
Abigail Grenfell – Civil Aviation Authority
Apologies:
Liz Garlinge – National Highways (Strategic Projects Director)
David Stroud – British International Freight Association (Policy & Compliance Advisor) Nigel Wicking – AOC (Chief Executive)
Anthony Smith – Transport Focus (Chief Executive)
Joanna Grew – Network Rail (Industry Programme Director [Heathrow & TVA]) Shamal Ratnayaka – Transport for London (Aviation Strategy Lead)
1. Welcome and Introductions
The Chair welcomed everyone to the Board meeting.
2. HAL Update
Tony Caccavone (TC) introduced Sophie Chapman who will be the new HAL Surface Access Director from the end of September.
TC provided a HAL update. See slides for further details. Key points discussed:
- The CAA has published its Final Proposals for H7 – see slide for details ofareas which are close/ far from HAL’s proposals.
- August public transport mode share was 37%. No significant shift toElizabeth line yet but will monitor with through-running to launch on 6thNovember 2022.
- Passenger numbers c.80% pre-pandemic. More leisure, less businesswhich impacts on operational performance (more bags, unfamiliarity with travelling). Security resource level is back to pre-pandemic but still limited ground handler resource. This is a Europe-wide issue which has knock-on impacts. HAL aiming to ease cap on passenger numbers as resilience builds through the rest of 2022.
- TfL has removed off-peak fares on their services (Elizabeth and Piccadilly lines) between Zone 1 and Heathrow. This means a c.60% increase in cost for the use of Piccadilly line off-peak, and 20% increase on Elizabeth Line. HAL and TfL working together to introduce a Team Heathrow discount to mitigate this impact as far as possible on colleagues. The Chair stated she has a meeting with Seb Dance and will encourage GLA/TfL to expedite the Elizabeth line colleague discount.
- HAL, TfL and Canary Wharf Group working together to maximise benefits of Elizabeth line through running.
- HAL published its SAS which has been circulated to Board members and is available here: 2022-Surface-Access-Strategy.pdf (heathrow.com)
Kris Beuret (KB) asked if CAA Final Proposals impact on carbon reduction. TC confirmed the Carbon Programme (including active travel and EV charging) was kept in the plan in full.
Christian Wolmar (CW) highlighted complaints with Elizabeth line signage and suggested a price per mode sign.
TC confirmed HAL is looking at Surface Access signage and will consider, although issues of variable pricing etc.
The Chair closed the agenda item by thanking TC for his excellent work over the years.
3. CAA Update and Environmental Sustainability Panel Overview
Abigail Grenfell (AG) provided a CAA update on sustainability, see slides for further details. Key points included:
- Aviation industry believes Covid recovery will only happen fully if greener.
- CAA want to be leader and influence reduction in carbon emissions.
- CAA is an aviation regulator, not a surface access regulator. CAA allowsfunding of surface access improvements at Heathrow to be passed through to passenger through the airport charge. CAA has duty to enable HAL to take reasonable measures to control/ mitigate adverse environmental impacts. Following the user pays principle, HAL should only pay for the benefits to air passengers, wider benefits should be paid for by beneficiaries.
The Chair highlighted that the user pays principle goes against the polluter pays principle and asked if frameworks are out of date. AG – DfT would have to update framework and as it stands, CAA is an aviation regulator, not surface access. The Chair highlighted that the CAA regulates HAL spending on surface access so does have a role to play.
TC asked how we can make larger projects such as WRLtH and SAtH deliverable. The current regulatory system makes it very difficult for HAL to invest. AG – this needs to be DfT-led as their role covers both rail and aviation.
Peter Bradley (PB) highlighted the high cost of coach parking at Heathrow which is a result of regulation which goes against the aim of increasing public transport use.
Adam Tyndall (AT) asked how CAA understands passenger views and not just airline/ airport views. AG – CAA use airlines as proxy for passengers but also has a consumer panel. HAL has also done a lot of research into passenger views which is taken into account.
The Chair enquired as to how the CAA was specifically using its economic regulatory function to deliver decarbonisation at Heathrow and Gatwick. AG noted the support for decarbonisation projects in the capital settlement and suggested further conversations with the economic regulation team may be appropriate.
The Chair asked how HATF can play a constructive and active role. AG – HATF can respond to consultations, continue discussions with CAA and potentially become a formal consultee.
4. TfL Update
Liam King (LK) provided a TfL update. See slides and key points below:
- TfL/DfT agreed longer term funding deal to March 2024 which providesgreater certainty. This includes investment in the Piccadilly line rollingstock.
- ULEZ consultation has closed but no update yet. TC and Paul Millin (PM)raised concerns for those living outside Greater London who may be impacted by the charge but not eligible for mitigation like the scrappage scheme.
5. Sustainable Travel Zone Update
Matthew Wooll (MW) provided an update on implementation of the Sustainable Travel Zone. See slides for further details and highlights below:
- Free travel between Hatton Cross and Heathrow on Piccadilly Line introduced on 4th September 2022.
- KB asked about plans for demand responsive transport (DRT). MW confirmed HAL working with local authorities and will trial something in 2024.
6. HATF July Active Travel Wider Forum Feedback
CW fed back on the wider forum:
- Active Travel England created, which is a big change in transport policy.
- Workshops were held on different geographical areas. Potential of e-bikes came out strongly and need considering at Heathrow – safe parking,charging points etc.
- A cycle ride is planned for October which will look at access points alonglocal authority routes into HAL roads.
7. November Wider Forum
To be held on 23rd November with a focus on WRLtH and SAtH.
8. AOB
- TC – CTA cycling project will go through Governance in November 2022 and aim to be on site in mid-2023.
- TC thanked HATF for the great work and progress that has been made over the last few years.