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Heathrow Access Advisory Group

Aiming to make Heathrow the world's leading airport for accessibility and inclusion

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30th October 2025 Minutes

29th January 2026 by Adam Bradford

1. Attendees

In Person

Keith Richards (HAAG Co‑Chair)
Helen Smith (HAAG Co‑Chair)
Elizabeth Herbert (HAAG)
Carly Jones (HAAG)
Tanvi Vyas (HAAG)
Anthony Smith (HAAG)
Emily Kilby (CAA)
Henry Carpenter (Help Points)
Gemma Williams (T4 Car Park)
Daniel Edwards (HAL)
Calum Glazier (HAL)
Lucy Seymour (HAL)
Farah Ali (HAL)
Elizabeth Beale (HAL)
Kiren Johal (HAL)
Janet McLaren (HAL)
Durdana Fathima (HAL)
Katarzyna Zdanowska (HAL)

Apologies

Danny Hall (HAL)
Abigail Oakley (HAL)
Manny Abebe (HAL)
Sian Evans (HAL)
Sim Cotton
Georgie Hill‑Jones (HAAG)
Josh Wintersgill (HAAG)
Jerry Angrave (HAAG)

Teams Attendees

Geraldine Lundy (HAAG Deputy Chair)
Anne Thorpe (HAAG)
Jessie Buckle (Ferrovial)
Thomas Abdul (Ferrovial)
Jonathan Lim (Jacobs)
Philip Holbourn & Alan Neighbour (Network Rail)

2. Meeting Notes

2.1 Welcome & Introductions

  • LS welcomed attendees.
  • HAAG members gave brief introductions.

2.2 Heathrow Leadership Session – Daniel Edwards

Key Points from DE:

  • Introduction to his role and focus on PRS (Passengers Requiring Support).
  • Two priority values: Inclusion and Equality.
  • Importance of embedding accessibility into new infrastructure and expansion projects.
  • Encouraged HAAG to challenge Heathrow to improve accessibility.
  • Stressed the importance of staff training and culture.
  • Noted significant PRM (wCHR) numbers in September: 221,973 passengers.
  • Highlighted investment in wheelchairs, buggies, hi‑lifts, and travel guide improvements.
  • ABM appointed as new service provider, going live 1 Feb 2026.

HAAG Feedback:

  • Need for accessibility in every stage of planning (KR).
  • Airport environment can be intimidating; getting the basics right is essential (EH).
  • Hidden disabilities awareness remains inconsistent across staff (TV).
  • Importance of dignity, equality, and comms around new scanners (EH).
  • Disruption (weather, strikes, T4 issues) has significant accessibility impact (KR).

2.3 Airside Tour

Time: 11:00–12:30
Followed by lunch (12:30–13:30).


3. Project Presentations

3.1 Airside Pedestrian Walkways – Ferrovial / Jacobs / Motionspot

Presenter: Jessie Buckle (Inclusive Design Advisor)

Key Points:

  • Overview of Phases 2A and 2B.
  • Design aligned to HAL Inclusive Mobility Standards.
  • Tactile paving, drainage, and colour‑blind‑friendly design in review.
  • Feedback raised:
    • Need for well‑lit routes (AS, TV).
    • Importance of SMCH (smooth chamfered kerbs) (TV).
    • Concerns around raised markings and tunnel safety history (CJ).
  • New bollard placement being adjusted for passenger safety.

3.2 T4 Car Park Redevelopment – Atkinrealis (GW & Helen)

Key Points:

  • T4 car park is 40 years old; requiring full rebuild.
  • Timeframe not yet confirmable due to complexity of relocation and demolition.
  • Four-lane forecourt redesign planned.
  • PRS journeys a core design focus.
  • Long stay unchanged; MSCP4 to fully close for rebuild.
  • Park & Ride T4 to act as replacement short‑stay with PRS‑specific facilities.
  • PRS bus service (Transdev) to be enhanced; reviewing wheelchair capacity.
  • Mapping of 70 journeys to understand needs.

Concerns Raised by HAAG:

  • EV charging and long‑term futureproofing (TV).
  • Shuttle delays during disruption (TV).
  • Bus manoeuvrability for wheelchairs (AT).
  • Communication to Uber, Google Maps, airlines (CJ).

Commitments:

  • Designers reviewing all PRS impacts.
  • Detailed comms strategy being developed.
  • Operating model expected by Christmas for Feb review.

3.3 Help Points Update – Henry Carpenter

Key Points:

  • Accessibility project from winter 2025–2026.
  • All Lee Warren units replaced with Gai‑tronics models.
  • Integration with APOC, CCTV, and basic intercom features.
  • Seating to be installed beside help points following ECAC Doc 30 guidance.

Feedback:

  • Need for better signage/colour contrast (KR).
  • More accessible formats for neurodiverse passengers (CJ).
  • Consideration for raised barriers, hearing loops, tactile labels (HS, TV).

3.4 Network Rail Update – Philip Holbourn

Key Points:

  • Focus on level boarding, benefitting all passengers.
  • Wheelchair‑accessible carriage: Carriage 5 on platforms 5–8.
  • Manual boarding ramps to be available for reassurance (TV).
  • Staff support guaranteed at stations.
  • Review of ORR & DfT Accessible Travel Policy.

Meeting Close

Time: 16:00

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© 2026 Heathrow Access Advisory Group

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