New Civil Engineer
Thomas Johnson
18 May 2026
MPs have expressed doubt that Heathrow’s planned third runway will be funded with private finance considering, the price tag put on the infrastructure works and the amount of debt the airport is currently in.
During a House of Commons debate last week, a number of MPs raised concerns the taxpayer may have to foot some of the bill for the £49bn proposal to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
MP for Richmond Park Sarah Olney said: “Heathrow Airport Ltd has cited that the cost of building a third runway will be an eyewatering £49bn, before factoring in an estimated £100bn in carbon abatement costs and at least £15bn of investment on surface access upgrade improvements...
