Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will estimate the cost of upgrading surface access to Heathrow Airport in the event of a third runway being built at that airport.

Heathrow Airport Limited have pledged to meet the costs of any surface access proposals that are essential to deliver airport expansion including works on the M25, the A4 and the A3044.

Where surface access projects have wider beneficiaries, such as the Western Rail and Southern Rail proposals, the Government will consider funding a proportion based on benefits for airport users and other beneficiaries in line with our Aviation Policy Framework.

The Airports Commission estimated that the potential costs of the surface access provision for a northwest runway were around £5bn but recognised that the finalised details, and therefore costs - would be determined as part of the statutory planning process.