Airports: Active Travel
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 May 2026 to Question 2131, if she will publish (a) the policy framework within which airports operate as at 4 July 2024 and (b) the current policy framework within which airports operate; and what substantive changes have been made to that framework since 4 July 2024.
Answered by Keir Mather
The 1999 Guidance on Airport Transport Forums and Airport Surface Access Strategies establishes a clear framework for airport operators and local stakeholders to collaborate on surface access planning. This partnership approach continues to work effectively at airports across the country. The department regularly engages with the aviation sector and other relevant stakeholders to monitor the effectiveness of this guidance and ensure its continuing relevance. There are no immediate plans to review or amend this guidance. It is for airport operators, and their local stakeholders, to consider the role of active transport as part of a wider mix of transport options for passengers and staff. This guidance is available under Annex B: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7aa94b40f0b66eab99bc3e/aviation-policy-framework.pdf
As set out in my answer of 2 April 2026 to Question 122529, recent approvals by this government on airport expansion projects at Gatwick and Luton, since 4 July 2024, also highlight specific surface access targets which must be met such as through the Green Controlled Growth Framework at Luton and mode share targets at Gatwick. In addition, the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement published for consultation on 18 June 2026 sets out this government’s proposed requirements for surface access to an expanded Heathrow.
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