Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's consultation on Draft Airports National Policy Statement: new runway capacity and infrastructure at airports in the South East of England, published in February 2017, how capacity on the M4 will be assessed as part of future planning in relation to the road network; and if he will make a statement.

The Department has no plans to widen the M4 because of the proposed expansion at Heathrow Airport. Our focus is on maximising the number of airport journeys made by public transport.

The draft Airports National Policy Statement published on 2 February proposes specific public transport mode share targets against which Heathrow Airport Limited would report on an annual basis.

Heathrow Airport Limited has pledged not to increase the number of vehicles on the road as a result of expansion.

Capacity on the strategic road network, including the M4, is considered through Highways England’s route strategies, which contribute to the development of our road investment strategy.