Present:
Val Shawcross CBE – HATF (Chair)
Mark Frost – HATF (Independent Technical Advisor)
Timothy Wells – HAL (Surface Access Travel and Policy Lead)
Matthew Wooll – HAL (Route Development Lead)
Tony Caccavone – Heathrow Airport Limited (Surface Access Director)
David Stroud – British International Freight Association (Policy & Compliance Advisor)
Paul Millin – Heathrow Strategic Planning Group (HSPG) (Chair, Transport Sub Group) Anthony Smith – Transport Focus (Chief Executive)
Richard Harrington – Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership (Chief Executive Officer) Matt Furniss – Surrey County Council (Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure) Liz Garlinge – National Highways (Strategic Projects Director)
Peter Bradley – UK Coach Operators Association (UKCOA) (Managing Director)
Alan Tilly – London Borough of Hillingdon (Transport and Aviation Team Manager)
Nigel Wicking – Airline Consultative Committee (AOC Chief Executive)
Anna Holbrook – Network Rail (Senior Sponsor)
Adam Tyndall – London First (Programme Director)
Shamal Ratnayaka – Transport for London (Aviation Strategy Lead)
Wayne King – Unite (Regional Secretary)
Non-members:
Stuart White – Department for Transport Phillip London – Department for Transport
Apologies:
Christian Wolmar – London Cycling Campaign (Trustee)
Kris Beuret – Representative for local communities
Joanna Grew – Network Rail (Industry Programme Director [Heathrow & TVA])
1. Welcome and Introductions
The Chair welcomed everyone to the first Board meeting of 2022.
2. Sustainable Travel
a. Heathrow Sustainable Travel Zone (STZ) Update
Matthew Wooll provided an update on the launch of the STZ – see slides for details.
Several Board Members gave positive feedback on the STZ and were pleased to see it had launched in early 2022, as planned.
Nigel Wicking asked how we can get this information into the hands of those recruiting at the airport. TC stated we are working with Heathrow’s People team who link with other Team Heathrow employers. MW further highlighted plans to publicise it on a Team Heathrow call on 26th February, Way2Go roadshows throughout the year to reach Team Heathrow colleagues, ad-hoc adverts in local authorities (e.g. Hillingdon People magazine).
Alan Tilly highlighted that LB Hillingdon receive lots of planning applications for hotels on Bath Road. S106 contributions could be sought for active travel improvements that could help unlock further mode shift to cycle amongst airport colleagues. MW and TW to work with LB Hillingdon on active travel plans.
b. Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs)
Paul Millin gave an overview of BSIPs from across the HSPG area, including funding asks (£295m in total), measures (bus priority features strongly) and a deep dive on Heathrow-related measures. See slides for further details.
Local Authorities are expecting to find out funding in February 2022. Across the UK, there has been significant overbidding so it is not likely Local Authorities will receive their requests in full. Levelling up may make it particularly difficult for Local Authorities in the southeast to secure sufficient funding to deliver aspirations.
Adam Tyndallasked if HSPG co-ordinate with London TravelWatch who are working on a campaign to promote buses and bus priority across the capital and surrounds. PM responded that Local Authorities have different interactions with London TravelWatch, but was happy to explore further. Anthony Smith offered to share the slides with London TravelWatch colleagues.
3. DfT Update
Stuart White provided updates on several topics:
Western Rail
- Covid-19 and the pause on Expansion has meant that there is currentlya pause in progression of the plans for Western Rail.
- The latest Government Spending Review in October 2021 did notspecifically mention Western Rail. However did DfT bid for funding for enhancements, to be allocated under the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP) process. This included Western Rail. DfT now going through a prioritisation process to agree which projects to progress. A report will shortly be published updating on the status of schemes.
- Western Rail did not score highly in Union Connectivity Review scoring. The Chair voiced disappointment in this.
- Tony Caccavone asked what was requested in terms of Capital Enhancements and what the Treasury allocated. SW indicated that they received slightly more than previous reviews (c£6bn) for enhancements but highlighted there were a large number of schemes in contention, and that there are other government priorities such as Levelling up that need to be considered as well.
Southern Rail
- Ministers keen to develop scheme through engaging with privatesector.
- HSPG working with DfT to develop a position statement and welcomefurther conversations on how best to take that work forward
- DfT identifying preferred commercial model to take project forward.Will share position shortly.
Great British Railways (GBR)
- New body to address fragmentation in the rail industry. Aims tosimplify the system (e.g. fares).
- GBR Transition Team developing a Strategic Plan and ran a call forevidence which closed on 4th February 2022. Heathrow will respond. Post meeting note: consultation response submitted and attached with these minutes.
4. Road Investment Strategy (RIS) 3
Liz Garlinge gave an overview of the RIS process, and the process for developing the RIS3 specifically – see slides for details.
Anthony Smith set out the Transport Focus aim to assist the process by providing evidence and encouraged HATF to get involved in the process.
Tony Caccavone highlighted that some of the route strategy work is very focussed on local issues whereas international gateways (such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Dover) need a wider view. LG agreed access to ports, rail and airports is very important.
5. National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) – National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA)
Adam Tyndall gave an overview of the NIA which will be published in second half of 2023 and was out for consultation until 4th February 2022. Please see slides for further details.
It was agreed that HATF would respond to the consultation. Post meeting note: consultation response submitted and attached with these minutes.
6. HAL Update
Tony Caccavone gave an update on HAL’s airport and surface access performance. Key points include:
- December 2021 passenger numbers (3.1m) were 47% of 2019 levels whilst cargo tonnage exceeded 2019 levels. Omicron constrained demand with an estimated 600k passengers cancelling.
- Total 2021 passengers was 19.4m, which is lower than 2020. 2022 forecast is c.43m which is still only just over half of normal demand.
- Significant recruitment required across Team Heathrow. Aviation is not necessarily the go-to industry so struggle to recruit.
- Mode share continues to recover – just under 37% in December 2021.
- TDOC – continues to operate well. Planning to introduce customerexperience improvements in 2022.
- Continue to work with CAA on H7. Expecting final settlement insummer 2022.
6. AOB
None