Heathrow Hub claims that its revised cost is £5Bn cheaper than other proposals under consideration.

Heathrow plan B cuts its cost estimate

Supporters of an alternative plan to increase runway capacity at Heathrow have submitted a revised cost estimate to Government ahead of a likely decision on airports expansion this autumn.

Those behind the Heathrow Hub idea – which proposes extending and dividing the existing northern runway at the airport – have reduced the cost of the scheme by £2Bn to £7.5Bn.

Heathrow Hub claims that its revised cost is £5Bn cheaper than other proposals under consideration.

The scheme's director Jock Lowe said: "Just like Heathrow Airport's third runway proposal we too can offer a no frills option while still boosting potential capacity to 750,000 air transport movements post expansion.

"Another major advantage of our scheme over Heathrow Airport's is that construction can be phased, meaning that costs can be spread and runway capacity released only as

noise and air quality targets are met and as demand requires."

In July 2015 the Airports Commission backed construction of a third runway at the site, in favour of an extended northern runway (Heathrow Hub) and a second runway at Gatwick.

A spokesman for Heathrow Airport said it is "working to improve our plan and reduce costs" for a third runway and confirmed that it was looking to cut costs by around £3Bn but said that detail will come later.