Britain15 August, 20262 min read
Heathrow Warns Passengers Of Disruption After Flooding Restricts Access To Terminals 2 And 3
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Access to Terminals 2 and 3 restricted by flooding from a burst main under Road West. Disruption began early Saturday; repairs underway; passengers urged to travel by rail or tube.
Pipe leak disrupts access
Heathrow Airport warned passengers of disruption after flooding caused by a burst main beneath Inner Ring Road West restricted access to Terminals 2 and 3. The airport said flooding in the central terminal area meant anyone travelling to or from either terminal must not travel by road, and it advised passengers to use rail and Tube services instead. Heathrow told travellers that those who must travel by car should use Park and Ride, head to Terminals 4 or 5, and take free rail services from there or change at local rail stations.
The BBC reported that it is understood there is no flooding within either terminal and that flights have not been disrupted, even as road access remained blocked. The disruption arrived during the school summer holidays, when Heathrow said 19 July was its busiest day of the year so far with 267,000 passengers passing through.
Airport guidance and travel advice
Heathrow’s guidance, as quoted by Sky News, urged passengers to use rail and underground services and said: "Our teams are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible, we apologise for any disruption caused."
The Guardian reported that Heathrow announced the latest disruption on X, prompting questions from travellers including one asking, "Do we have to meet and greet at T4 or 5??"
In response to a traveller collecting a daughter from Terminal 3 with special needs, the airport replied that there was no road access to Terminal 3 and that the passenger would need to park at Terminal 4 or 5 and transfer to Terminal 3.
Which? urged passengers to check airline policies on booked flights and advised against unnecessary travel, with editor of Which? Travel Rory Boland saying: "Passengers heading to Heathrow today will understandably be worried".
The Guardian also said access to terminal car parks was impeded, leaving passengers with parked cars unable to access them while road closures continued.
Busiest day, expansion backdrop
The Guardian said Heathrow was recently affected by disruption to rail services after a water leak prompted the closure of a tunnel, and it described the current disruption as coming during one of the airport’s busiest periods. Heathrow said 19 July had been its busiest day of the year so far with more than 267,000 passengers passing through as many schools broke up for summer. The London Evening Standard reported that T2 is Heathrow’s second busiest terminal, handling over 16 million passengers every year, and it added that the disruption is likely to continue for some time.
“T2 is Heathrow’s second busiest terminal, handling over 16 million passengers every year.”
The Independent noted that Heathrow said travellers should take the "Heathrow Express, Elizabeth Line and Piccadilly Line rail services where possible" and reiterated that those who must travel by car should use Park and Ride via Terminals 4 or 5. Sky News also said the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) permitted Heathrow Airport to recoup £320 million spent on its proposal to build a third runway since the start of last year, with Heathrow describing the runway as 100% privately financed.