• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • London
  • British Books
  • Travel
  • Events
  • British Royals
  • British TV
  • Contact

Brit News

News About Britain

You are here: Home / Travel / Heathrow proposes to charge vehicles accessing departures forecourts in response to COVID-19 impacts

Heathrow proposes to charge vehicles accessing departures forecourts in response to COVID-19 impacts

December 3, 2020 by editor Leave a Comment

Heathrow has announced it is exploring a proposal to implement a Forecourt Access Charge (FAC) for vehicles in late 2021 to prevent a car led airport recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The charge, expected to be around £5, is part of several revisions to the airport’s surface access plan as a result of the near collapse in passenger numbers and £1.5bn losses incurred in 2020.

COVID-19 has sent shock waves through the aviation sector. As a result, Heathrow has reviewed all its planned investments which were committed when over 80m passengers were using the airport annually.

This review has led to changes which recalibrate the airport’s spending on surface access projects so that environmental impacts will continue to be reduced, whilst the business and colleague jobs are protected during this time with fewer passengers.

Heathrow expects fewer cars on the road due to reduced passenger demand, but concerns around using public transport due to the pandemic present a new challenge moving forward. Responding to this, the FAC will replace plans for a Heathrow Ultra Low Emissions Zone (HULEZ) announced in May 2019, although future emissions reductions schemes could be considered.

The revised plan ensures Heathrow remains able to meet its long-term public transport goals and, other measures, including HULEZ, can still be implemented if needed.

Revenue raised through the FAC will be used to offset airport costs, including future sustainable transport investments, as well as lowering the charges for passengers.

Consultation has begun with stakeholders around the details of Heathrow’s new proposal, including how the FAC will be administered, with details expected to be finalised in 2021.

The Forecourt Access Charge will apply to all vehicles entering the forecourts of Heathrow’s terminals, although some exceptions will apply such as blue badge holders and emergency vehicles. The full list of exemptions has yet to be finalised.

Passengers already have the alternative option of being dropped off in our long stay car parks today and travelling to terminals via a free shuttle bus.

“The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been severe, especially on the aviation industry with Heathrow passenger numbers down over 80% and the business losing £5m a day. These changes will help us to protect the business financially and save jobs in the short term, whilst also allowing us to stay on track for our long-term goals of providing safe, sustainable and affordable transport options into the future.”

Editor’s Note: Well, I believe I speak for most people who use Heathrow when I say: screw them. It should never have been privatised.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Pocket
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Related

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Heathrow

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

You’ve been successfully subscribed to our newsletter!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Get daily notifications of all new posts on Brit.news. No Spam!

You’ve been successfully subscribed to our newsletter!

Recent Articles

What are the Government’s proposals for minimum service levels during strikes?

12,000 cancer patients waiting more than three months for treatment

Mark Cavendish robbery trial hears accused ‘was stabbed in leg months earlier’

Commentator jokes dog who went viral has released a Prince Harry-style book

Rare Bible sells for £20,000 at Belfast auction house

Data sharing progress between EU and UK hailed as ‘significant building block’

Harry’s bombshell memoir becomes fastest selling non-fiction book

Conservative MPs express frustration at time limit introduced on stamp duty cut

Experts warn over plans to age-check child asylum seekers with X-rays

Man threatened to assassinate Nicola Sturgeon in Facebook post, court told

British Links

  • BritMemes
  • YourBritain.me
  • Britishhistory.photos

Recent Comments

    Copyright © 2023 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in