HATF Work Programme 2026

January 2026

1. Function & Purpose of HATF

1.1 Heathrow Area Transport Forum brings together all the major stakeholders involved with  how people and goods get to and from the airport in order to improve attractiveness and uptake of sustainable transport.  Specifically we:

• challenge and monitor surface access performance
• provide constructive input into future Heathrow Business Plans and the Third Runway Development Consent Order (DCO) process
• develop board members understanding of the regulatory landscape and key policy drivers of outcomes in order to allow efficient engagement in those processes
• create a space where ideas can be discussed among key stakeholders, insight shared and consensus positions around key issues (e.g. data, evidence) can emerge
• seek to drive a better airport passenger and cargo experience.

1.2 HATF interrogates the ambition, coherence and deliverability of surface access proposals, and, while not a decision‑making body, holds the airport to account on implementation of those.  The collective view of the forum carries weight with the airport operator, regulator, Government and also the deliberations of the Planning Inspectorate in respect to the DCO.

2. Workplan

2.1 The 2026 workplan will be built around five key workstreams.  Across each of these HATF will seek to use our influence to improve the experience for airport users and surrounding communities.

• Ensuring a focus remains on the experience facing passengers, other airport users and communities today 
• Heathrow’s H8 Business Plan (2027-2031) 
• Third Runway Development Consent Order (DCO)
• Refresh of DfT’s Airports National Policy Statement
• CAA regulatory reform (including exploration of the implications of new regulatory models on transport outcomes, and specifically a refresh of their Surface Access Policy).

3. Key Focus Areas

3.1 HATF has a statutory role to consider implications of growth proposals, or significant changes in policy, across all aspects of surface access.  However key areas of focus include: 

• delivering a coordinated package of rail enhancements offering improvements to both connectivity and capacity
• improving bus service integration (via Bus Service Improvement Plan) and further exploiting opportunities to develop the coach proposition  
• delivery of the HATF supported Local Cycling Walking Infrastructure Plan
• enhancing understanding of the needs and impacts of cargo movements
• ensuring accessibility is included at all design stages.

4. Ways of Working

4.1 HATF will undertake this work via:

• Regular constructive engagement with HAL and board members to ensure key areas of concern are effectively highlighted at an early stage. There will be a continuing focus on developing a robust programme of well-managed board meetings and special interest groups, allowing for an appropriate level of scrutiny of proposals at the right time for members (and the forum as a whole) to influence outcomes
• Written submissions (in the form of “Review & Recommendation Reports” as agreed at the September 2025 board meeting) to the airport operator, regulator and government on key issues.  These will be informed by engagement with board members and draft points shared prior to submission as appropriate
• Convening joint discussions across a wider cohort of stakeholders via our wider forum event(s).

4.2 In order to support effective and efficient engagement by members in the Forum’s work an indicative workplan summarising likely areas of focus across Board and working group (Special Interest Group) meetings in 2026 and early 2027 is provided as Annexes 1 and 2.

5. Measuring Success

5.1 HATF will seek to ensure it remains useful, constructive and effective in supporting board member engagement with the above mentioned processes.

5.2 Specifically we will look to ensure this via a process of continual review, building on the in-depth 1:1 engagement undertaken with all board members in Spring 2025.  Other key major stakeholders (e.g. DfT, CAA) will also be approached at least annually, and feedback on whether our work was and is useful, constructive and effective sought.  Findings from the review will be presented to board.