New images have emerged of how Heathrow Airport might look should its third runway expansion get Government sign-off later this year.

They include an artist’s impression of a repositioned M25 with a proposed underground tunnel that passes under the new third runway.

The images have been released as Heathrow launched a 10-week public consultation on January 17, which runs until March 28.

This time the airport giant is consulting the public on the physical changes it may have to make to the airport as part of building the third runway development.

It is also asking the public for its views on the rules that could apply when redesigning the airspace, as part of the development. However no flight paths have yet been drawn up, Heathrow said.

The Government is expected to go to a final House of Commons vote on the third-runway at Heathrow in the first half of this year, the date of which is still to be announced.

The public's views will help shape its plans for expansion, the airport added. 

Heathrow claimed the consultation would become "one of the largest" in the country's history - with 40 individual events staged in communities around the transport hub, and hundreds of thousands of responses expected online.

The building options, all of which are only possibilities currently, include:

  • Three shortlisted options for the new north-west runway, varying in length from between 3,200 and 3,500 metres between Colnbrook and Sipson
  • Three potential locations to expand terminal infrastructure including parking for aircraft: east of Terminal 2, west of Terminal 5 or a new satellite terminal by the new runway
  • Realignment of the M25: repositioning it approximately 150 metres to the west, and lowering it by seven metres in a tunnel and raising the runway height so it passes over the M25
  • Options for changes to local roads and possible changes to junctions 14 and 14A of the M25

Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow’s executive director for expansion, said: “When the government announced its support for Heathrow expansion it made a clear commitment to keeping Britain open for business.

"We want an expanded Heathrow to be the world’s best airport, ensuring that our country and its future generations have the infrastructure they need to thrive.

“We need feedback to help deliver this opportunity responsibly and to create a long-term legacy both at a local and national level. Heathrow is consulting to ensure that we deliver benefits for our passengers, businesses across the country but also, importantly, for those neighbours closest to us.”

John Stewart, chairman of anti-Heathrow expansion group Hacan, said: "We welcome the chance to shape the new flight paths rather than have them imposed.

"If a third runway is ever given the go-ahead we want the best possible deal for residents."

A consultation event will be held in Burnham at Burnham Park Hall, Windsor Lane, on February 3 from 10am to 4pm.