On Saturday, 15 August 2026, a burst water main beneath the Inner Ring Road West at Heathrow Airport caused flooding that led to road closures restricting access to Terminals Two and Three. The Inner Ring Road West is part of the road network connecting the central terminal area buildings at Heathrow Airport, including Terminals Two and Three.
Impact on Terminals and Flights
The flooding affected the central terminal area including Terminals Two and Three but did not flood the interiors of either terminal. Heathrow Airport confirmed that flights were not disrupted as a result of the flooding.
Travel Restrictions and Alternative Transport
Road closures have prevented vehicular access to Terminals
Two and Three. Passengers travelling to or from these terminals on 15 August 2026 were advised by Heathrow Airport not to use road transport. Instead, passengers were strongly advised to use rail services such as the Heathrow Express, Elizabeth Line, and Piccadilly Line to access Terminals Two and Three. Car travellers were instructed to use Park and Ride facilities located at Terminals Four or Five, then transfer onto free rail services to reach the affected terminals.
Official Response and Travel Period Context
A Heathrow Airport spokesman said flooding in the central terminal area resulted in ongoing road closures restricting access to Terminals Two and Three. Passengers
must not travel by road to these terminals today and should use the recommended rail services or park and ride options. He urged passengers to allow extra time for their journeys as teams work to resolve the situation. The disruption occurred during the school summer holidays, a peak travel period with hundreds of thousands of customers passing through Heathrow Airport.
Unknown Details
Details such as the number of flights delayed or cancelled and the expected duration of the flooding and road closures have not been disclosed.
