Present
Val Shawcross CBE – HATF (Chair)
Mark Frost – HATF (Independent Technical Advisor)
Sophie Chapman – Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) (Surface Access Director) Timothy Wells –HAL (Surface Access Travel and Policy Lead)
Tim Leech – HAL (Head of Strategy and Sponsorship, Surface Access)
Tom Bielby – HAL (Surface Access Sponsorship Lead)
Simran Kullar – HAL (Travel Demand Manager)
Sam Berry – HAL (External and Government Affairs)
Wayne King – Unite (Regional Secretary)
Peter Bradley – UK Coach Operators Association (UKCOA) (Managing Director)
Nigel Wicking – Airline Operators Committee (Chief Executive)
Councillor Puja Bedi – Representative from CISHA Local Community Forum
Christian Wolmar – London Cycling Campaign (Trustee)
Adam Tyndall – BusinessLDN (Programme Director)
Matt Furniss – Surrey CC and Transport for the South East (Board Member)
Paul Millin – Heathrow Strategic Planning Group (HSPG) (Chair, Transport Sub Group) Anthony Smith – Transport Focus (Chief Executive)
Peter Fisher – National Highways
Anna Scannell – Network Rail
Adam Stagg – Transport for London
Apologies
Joanna Grew – Network Rail (Industry Programme Director [Heathrow & TVA] Shamal Ratnayaka – Transport for London (Aviation Strategy Lead)
1. Welcome and Introductions
The Chair, Val Shawcross (VS), welcomed everyone to the second Board meeting of 2023.
VS announced departure of Kris Beuret and welcomed Cllr Puja Bedi (PB) (Poyle and Colnbrook ward) whom will represent the Council for Independent Scrutiny of Heathrow (CISHA) Local Community Forum on the board.
VS talked through the agenda and noted that the focus of the coming year will be on providing further scrutiny of the Surface Access Strategy (2022-Surface- Access-Strategy.pdf (heathrow.com)) and this is reflected in the : HATF Work Programme 2023 – Heathrow Area Transport Forum
2. HAL Update
Sophie Chapman (SC) presented the HAL update, see slides for Surface Access dashboard. Key points discussed:
- Mode share: 40.7% for February was achieved, ongoing upward moving direction. Noted push for comms on Elizabeth Line from TfL and Heathrow when final phase is launched in May
- CAA decision on H7 passenger fees: HAL have a team set up who are currently working through the decision, which set out a cost per passenger below that requested by the airport. HAL are continuing with established business plan for 2023 and if there are any changes, they will be updated in due course.See slides for update on headline strategies and projects. Key points covered include:
- Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Strategy: out for tender for consultant support. Will cover all taxi and PHV issues including impact on communities
- Colleague car park strategy: HAL will review when to consult Team Heathrow businesses and colleagues later in 2023.
- Local Cycling Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP): should be finalised on 23/3/23 at the Active Travel SIG
- Sustainable Travel Zone: additional budget to mitigate Ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) scheme being implemented by the Mayor of London. Extended hours of operation on some routes including earlier and later journeys and improved frequency.
- Central Terminal Area (CTA) cycling: timescales subject to completion of main tunnel works (currently estimated for 2024)
Mark Frost (MF): do we have any insight in whether there are additional people travelling by rail from the west, and utilising Elizabeth line to access the airport as this may have impacts on business case for Western Rail? SC: HAL will look into this
Christian Wolmar (CW): Why is there further delays to the CTA cycling project? SC: we can’t get use side-bores of the tunnel until main tunnel project is complete. We are progressing our work still and plan to align implementation. Tim Wells (TW):. Opening expected in mid-2024, but the programme is still being confirmed. Will keep HATF updated.
PB: What will the Taxi and PHV Strategy cover. How will it be rolled out and will there be any enforcement? Are you also considering freight vehicles?
TW: Focus of the Taxi & PHV Strategy is to improve efficiency, passenger/ operator experience and to reduce the impact on local communities. Need to undertake the strategic work before discussing the proposals and implementation. HAL is working with a 3rd party to provide a truck park on the Southern Perimeter Road – this was discussed in the January Board.
PB: Will the extended bus route 5 serve stops in Colnbrook and Poyle? TW: Yes, that is the proposal.
ULEZ Mitigations
Tim Leech (TL): Provided an update on ULEZ mitigations.
- HAL working with operators to improve STZ
- Terminal Drop of Charge (TDOC) exemption: extended to give colleaguesthe opportunity not to be charged twice for drop off
- Increase car share: Liftshare app will continue to be used
- Park and ride: speaking with local authorities about existing public parkand ride sites (e.g. Guilford, High Wycombe). Looking at a site just outsidethe ULEZ in Slough BC for a temporary (c.3 years) staff only park and ride.
- Green car scheme will be relaunched for HAL colleagues. Car loan scheme(interest free) being considered.Paul Millin (PM): Are HAL aware of any TfL bus improvements that will cross the Greater London boundary?
TL: Not aware of any.
Adam Stagg (ASt): will take away and confirm.
3. Influencing Travel Behaviour
TW provided an update on HAL plans for influencing passenger and colleague travel behaviour. See slides for details.
VS: have you investigated international best practice examples?
TW: Yes, we have, and will continue to do so. Will feedback key findings to board.
VS: For the Travel Wallet, have you looked into what is commercially available, instead of creating your own?
TW: Once we start this project we will look into what is already on the market and could potentially be adapted for use at Heathrow.
Anthony Smith (ASm): impressive and welcomed list of proposals. Highlighted the importance of making it clear and easy for colleagues to understand what is available to them. TW: Yes, HAL is awareness of this working hard to address through activities such as comms and Way2Go roadshows.
4. Electric Vehicles (EV)
Tom Bielby (TB) provided an update on HAL’s EV delivery plan. See slides for further details. Key projects include:
- Rapid charging hubs – starting to grow in population around the UK. Want to introduce up to three at Heathrow, without attracting additional traffic. TfL are implementing a hub near Hatton Cross.
- Taxi Feeder Park – provision of additional rapid chargers.
- Authorised vehicle area – provision of rapid chargers for PHVs.
- Mobile charging trial in summer 2023 for use by colleagues. Will beoperated by E-Gap with charging booked through their app.PM: what is the cost of E-Gap?
TB: there are several ways to procure this – still working on this so cannot comment on cost at this stage.ASt: have you thought of using wireless charging for taxis?
TW: wireless charging is still being trialled, and it has not been adopted widely by taxis. Looked into this as part of developing the strategy and will continue to monitor.ASm: this is great. Have you thought about EV charging etiquette e.g. people moving their cars once 80% charged to allow for others to use a facility?
TB: Etiquette is especially important for rapid charging hubs – considering charging for use of bays even once charging is complete to disincentivise vehicles being left in bays.
5. Rail Operations
Old Oak Common Disruption
Anna Scannell (ASc) (Network Rail) provided update on Old Oak Common works. Highlighted impacts of All Line Blocks (with the longest one in 2028) – see slides for further details.
VS: Requested programme of disruption as a simple calendar. ASc: Network Rail can provide this.
ASm: Could Network Rail look at a direct train to Waterloo during the works? ASc: Yes, this is being looked into with DfT.
Sam Berry (SB): What is the longest All Line Block?
ASc: 18 days in 2028. Network Rail are starting the final stage of design in Autumn 2023 and will look at any opportunities to reduce disruption.
Elizabeth Line Final Phase
ASt (TfL) stated that the final phase will be implemented in May 2023. There will be 6 trains per hour (tph) to Heathrow terminals, including Shenfield to Terminal 5 (2tph) and Abbey Wood to Terminal 4 (4tph). Removal of dwell times at Acton Mainline, which will decrease journey times.
TL: HAL would like direct T5 – Canary Wharf trains as this was one of the key benefits of the project. CW and VS also stated this was not expected and should be reviewed. ASt stated it is open to review but will not change for the May 2023 timetable – will pass on to timetabling team.
Piccadilly Line
ASt (TfL) stated that life expired rolling stock is due to be replaced between 2025 – 2027. There will be 94 new trains – higher capacity, air conditioned, walk- through, fully accessible, digital information and advertising screens. The signalling upgrade is not currently funded. Could be introduced in the early 2030s if funded, but for now will remain at 12tph.
TW: What proportion of the total Piccadilly line rolling stock does the 94 new trains represent?
ASt: Will check.
ASm: will TfL continue to look after existing trains in the interim? ASt: Will take this away, but will be subject to funding.
Southern Rail consensus building
Paul Millin (PM) (HSPG) stated that HSPG, HAL and Surrey CC have commissioned Arup to understand the Heathrow Southern Rail scheme in more detail (including funding and delivery). Arup will work with partners (including scheme promotors, Network Rail, local authorities, Heathrow Airport) to understand what is needed to develop consensus around a single scheme. Should be completed within 12 weeks. The outcome is hoped to be a single option which will facilitate engagement with DfT to help progress
VS and AT shared their support for this work and look forward to contributing and seeing the outcome.
6. Enhancing the Bus Offering
The Chair provided a report back on the first Bus Network Special Interest Group, see slides for further details.
ASm: Surely DfT would be really supportive of a Heathrow sub-regional plan for buses? VS: We’ll develop the plan and keep pushing for political support. MF: HATF wrote to Baroness Vere 18 months ago but did not get a positive response. ASm: Happy to help discussions with DfT.
SC: Highlighted that HAL see ULEZ as an opportunity to improve public transport to, from and around the airport.
7. AOB
SC: Stated TfL have gone back on plans for an Elizabeth line discount which is delaying it being implemented.