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How do you build a runway over a motorway? How do you build a runway over a motorway?
(35 minutes later)
Heathrow's third runway could involve planes taking off from a "ramp" over a motorway. How would this work, asks Harry Low.Heathrow's third runway could involve planes taking off from a "ramp" over a motorway. How would this work, asks Harry Low.
There's an obstacle in the way of the proposed runway - the M25. An initial idea of constructing a road tunnel beneath the runway has been put aside. Building a "ramp" instead would be "a cheaper and quicker way of doing it", said Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.There's an obstacle in the way of the proposed runway - the M25. An initial idea of constructing a road tunnel beneath the runway has been put aside. Building a "ramp" instead would be "a cheaper and quicker way of doing it", said Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.
Heathrow is situated near the the M25's busiest section, between junctions 14 and 15. Nearly 100 million vehicles flow through this stretch each year, according to Department for Transport figures.Heathrow is situated near the the M25's busiest section, between junctions 14 and 15. Nearly 100 million vehicles flow through this stretch each year, according to Department for Transport figures.
Some on Twitter have joked that this ramp might resemble the front of some aircraft carriers that have a steep incline, known as a ski jump. "I can assure you it's nothing like that," says Chris Chalk, who's on the transport expert panel for the Institute of Civil Engineers.Some on Twitter have joked that this ramp might resemble the front of some aircraft carriers that have a steep incline, known as a ski jump. "I can assure you it's nothing like that," says Chris Chalk, who's on the transport expert panel for the Institute of Civil Engineers.
"In fact, you wouldn't actually be able to see it with your eye. If you were on an aircraft you wouldn't know about it.""In fact, you wouldn't actually be able to see it with your eye. If you were on an aircraft you wouldn't know about it."
The gradient would be less than 1%, as required by the European Aviation Safety Agency. What impact would this have on a plane? "It doesn't affect the performance of an aircraft or provide any problems whatsoever," says Chalk.The gradient would be less than 1%, as required by the European Aviation Safety Agency. What impact would this have on a plane? "It doesn't affect the performance of an aircraft or provide any problems whatsoever," says Chalk.
"When an aircraft comes in to land, it's coming in at a gradient of about 5% so less than 1% is a very small difference. In fact, it's quite normal to have a runway with some gradient on.""When an aircraft comes in to land, it's coming in at a gradient of about 5% so less than 1% is a very small difference. In fact, it's quite normal to have a runway with some gradient on."
Other UK airports that would have a greater gradient than the proposed on at Heathrow include Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham. Other UK airports that would have a greater gradient than that proposed at Heathrow include Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham.
Building a runway bridge over a busy road is a feature at many airports further afield, including Charles de Gaulle in Paris and Fort Lauderdale in the US state of Florida.Building a runway bridge over a busy road is a feature at many airports further afield, including Charles de Gaulle in Paris and Fort Lauderdale in the US state of Florida.
Designers are required to allow a large amount of space either side of the runway in case there is an incident on the airfield. Strategically placed slats and the right lighting will be factors in preventing drivers from losing concentration due to planes overhead, explains Chalk, who works for the civil engineering firm Mott McDonald.Designers are required to allow a large amount of space either side of the runway in case there is an incident on the airfield. Strategically placed slats and the right lighting will be factors in preventing drivers from losing concentration due to planes overhead, explains Chalk, who works for the civil engineering firm Mott McDonald.
"You tend to have a number of visual buffers because you don't want to distract the drivers. At that distance you won't actually be seeing the aircraft that easily. It hasn't created any issues elsewhere at other busy airports.""You tend to have a number of visual buffers because you don't want to distract the drivers. At that distance you won't actually be seeing the aircraft that easily. It hasn't created any issues elsewhere at other busy airports."
So those thinking the boredom of being stuck in traffic on Britain's busiest motorway might be relieved by the sight of a large aeroplane crossing the road will be disappointed.So those thinking the boredom of being stuck in traffic on Britain's busiest motorway might be relieved by the sight of a large aeroplane crossing the road will be disappointed.
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