Heathrow Airport has launched a consultation on plans for its multi-billion pound expansion programme.

The 10-week discussion, one of the largest public consultations in the UK's history, will seek views on how to shape the Airport's plans to deliver the scheme's opportunities as well as keeping promises made to local communities and meeting strict environmental tests.

Over the past year, Heathrow has worked alongside local stakeholders and airline partners to evolve its plans submitted to the Airports Commission. This has identified options to deliver an expanded hub airport for £2.5 billion less than the original £17.6bn estimate, without compromising on the Airport's previous commitments.

The consultation will take place in two parts; the first relating to physical changes to the ground needed to build a new north-west runway and operate an expanded airport; and the second relating to potential principles, or 'rules', that could apply when designing the new airspace required for an expanded airport.

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Feedback is being sought on potential infrastructure options including;

• Three shortlisted options for the new north-west runway with length varying from between 3,200 and 3,500 metres.

• Potential locations to expand terminal infrastructure: east of Terminal 2, west of Terminal 5 or a new satellite terminal by the new runway.

• Proposed alignment 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 two junctions leading to the M25.

Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow's Executive Director Expansion, said: "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."

Responses can be submitted until 28 March at any of the 40 consultation events held across communities surrounding the airport and also online, via email or post.

(LM/MH)