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)
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) 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)
Adam Tyndall – London First (Programme Director)
Shamal Ratnayaka – Transport for London (Aviation Strategy Lead)
David Hill – Airline Operators Committee (Head of Regulation and Strategy)
Christian Wolmar – London Cycling Campaign (Trustee)
Kris Beuret – Representative for local communities
Apologies:
Joanna Grew – Network Rail (Industry Programme Director [Heathrow & TVA])
Matt Furniss – Surrey County Council (Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure) Nigel Wicking – Airline Operators Committee (Chief Executive)
Wayne King – Unite (Regional Secretary)
1. Welcome and Introductions
The Chair welcomed Tim Leech, HAL’s Surface Access Head of Strategy and Sponsorship, to his first HATF Board meeting.
2. HAL Update
Tony Caccavone provided a HAL update. See slides for further details. Key points included:
TC provided a HAL update. See slides for further details. Key points discussed:
- Passenger numbers growing, but demand is much ‘peakier’ than pre- Covid. Leisure is recovering faster than business. Forecasting 88% of pre-Covid levels on some days in the summer.
- Terminal 4 is due to re-open on 14th June 2022.
- David Hill flagged that the airlines are predicting higher passengernumbers for 2022 (72m).
- Recruitment is challenging, with c.12,000 vacancies across the airport.
- H7 regulatory settlement not expected until later in 2022.
- TDOC generally operating smoothly.
- Passenger public transport mode share was c.40% pre-Covid. It hadrecovered to 35% in February 2022.
3. Surface Access Decarbonisation
Tim Wells gave an update on HAL plans to deliver decarbonisation of surface access. See slides for further details. Key points discussed:
- Refreshed sustainability strategy (Heathrow 2.0) and Net Zero Plan published in February 2022.
- N.b. carbon is assigned to the airport an aeroplane departed from, to ensure ownership.
- Surface Access is key to delivering Net Zero on the Ground, making up c.80% of carbon emissions.
- Set out targets to cut surface access carbon emissions in half by 2030 and completely decarbonise by 2050.
- Two main ways to decarbonise surface access:
1) Reduce the number of vehicles (modal shift)
2) Decarbonise vehicle movements that continue to take place - HAL is currently developing our Landside Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Strategy which will set out how we will contribute to point 2. Point 1 is covered by our modal shift initiatives, many of which have been shaped by HATF and will be delivered in partnership.
- The Landside ZEV Strategy will balance the need to enable uptake of ZEVs, with avoiding attracting non-airport related vehicles.
- Liz Garlinge highlighted the Government’s £900m fund for rapid charging on the strategic road network. LG also flagged that car parking will always attract private vehicle trips.
4. Active Travel Special Interest Group Report Back
Christian Wolmar reported back on the first HATF Active Travel Special Interest Group held in February.
- Lots of enthusiasm from the group to improve active travel.
- Access to the CTA remains a key barrier, which HAL are working onwith a resolution deliverable for 2023.
- Local Authorities around the airport also need to improve activetravel routes to/from the campus, particularly at key junctions.
- HSPG bid to National Highways could provide some funding for this,this has been well received and has approval in principal
- Cycling site visit of perimeter roads to take place in late March.
- TC highlighted that active travel improvements are included in HAL’srCarbon Programme, subject to CAA approval. Some projects alreadybeing progressed (e.g. CTA cycling).
- Mark Frost raised that a review of the draft Expansion LCWIP wassuggested at the SIG, and would be beneficial.
5. TfL Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) Expansion
Shamal Ratnayaka provided an update on TfL’s plans to expand the ULEZ to the whole of Greater London. See slides for further details. Key points discussed include:
- Planning for public consultation in summer 2022. Subject to outcome, implementation could be in 2023.
- The extension to the inner ring road in 2021 is already delivering benefits, with fewer vehicles and less congestion.
- Would need cameras on National Highways/ Heathrow roads to enable enforcement at Heathrow.
- TW and TC raised concerns for Heathrow colleagues living outside Great London who need to drive to work, particularly those on lower incomes. Ensuring public transport alternatives are affordable will be key, as should be eligibility of any scrappage scheme open to those on a low income.
- The Chair and Paul Millin highlighted that the timescales are ambitious, with much less time for road users to adapt when compared to the most recent ULEZ expansion to inner ring road.
6. Elizabeth Line Update
SR updated on the plans for launch of the Elizabeth Line.
- Phase 1: Paddington to Abbey Wood. Post meeting note: launch confirmed for 24th May 2022.
- Phase 2: Through running from Reading/Heathrow from later in 2022.
- Phase 3: Full running on all branches – timescales TBC
- Bond Street will not open with the rest of the central section.
- Anthony Smith stated how impressive the new stations are and asked what the impact on Heathrow mode share will be. Post meeting note – HAL forecasting a PT mode share increase of 3-4% once in full operation, subject to awareness – joint TfL/ HAL promotion planned.
- CW believes it will be transformational.
7. AOB
Mark Frost flagged that we are still waiting for the Rail Network Enhancement Plan, which may or may not have information about the way forward for Heathrow rail projects, to be published.