Drivers would have to pay to enter a Heathrow congestion charge zone under new proposals announced by London mayoral hopeful Caroline Pidgeon.
The Liberal Democrat candidate for this May's election announced the idea during a visit to Hounslow on Friday (February 5).
"We've got to do something to tackle congestion in central London and in hotspots like around Heathrow," she told getwestlondon.
"It's not just the sitting in traffic and the cost of those delays to businesses and members of the public which is a problem.
"It's also the silent killer air pollution, which is prematurely ending the lives of 10,000 Londoners a year."
Ms Pidgeon said she would work with local councils if elected and consult residents on how best to implement the scheme.
She said her initial thoughts were that the congestion zone would cover Bath Road, Great South West Road, Southern Perimeter Road and Stanwell Moor Road, though the exact boundaries would be subject to discussion.
All cars arriving at the airport would have to pay the fee, she said, which would be in line with the current congestion charge zone in central London.
Drivers would be able to pay online or by telephone, as with the existing arrangements, and payment kiosks would also be installed in car parks, terminal buildings and hotels.
Any profit generated would be ploughed into the local community, where it would pay for better cycle facilities and other improvements.
It is not the first time the prospect has been raised of charging people who drive to the airport.
Heathrow suggested a similar scheme in 2014 but has said it would only be introduced if other initiatives to improve air quality were not successful.
Air pollution levels are in breach of EU limits at a number of spots to the north of the airport, close to the A4 and M4.
Ms Pidgeon visited Hounslow Mosque in Wellington Road South, Hounslow, on Friday, where she joined Lib Dem candidate Hina Malik on the campaign trail ahead of the Cranford by-election, which is being held on Thursday, February 11.
