M25 could become Britain's first 14-lane motorway under Heathrow expansion plans
The M25 is set to become Britain's first 14-lane motorway if a third runway is built at Heathrow Airport.
The airport wants taxpayers to bankroll £1.2 billion of road and rail improvements including a 600m motorway tunnel under the new runway.
The M25 would be widened to 14 lanes on a two-mile section from Junction 14 next to Terminal 5 to the junction with the M4.
The proposal is likely to provoke a furious reaction from environmental campaigners.
The motorway plan was revealed as Heathrow bosses made their final submission to the government's airports commission.