Terminal 5 chief to quit

Mike Roberts, BAA's technical director responsible for development of Heathrow's terminal 5, is to leave the industry for personal reasons, the company said yesterday. He will retire early at the end of the year.

His place will be taken by Tony Douglas, but in a shake-up of responsibility, Mike Hodgkinson, BAA's chief executive, will take direct control of the project, which will receive government approval this month.

Two senior managers have been appointed to underpin the development, demonstrating BAA's determination to complete the terminal on time by 2007.

BAA said that Mr Douglas's decision had nothing to do with terminal 5. He had been in discussions about early retirement for a year.

Part of the delay on the decision to approve terminal 5 was caused by a mistake by BAA. It failed to give notice that it would have to divert two small rivers which flow through the site.

They connect with Hampton Court and concern was expressed that the diversion could affect water pressure at the Hampton Court fountains.

The transport secretary, Stephen Byers, is said to have been embarrassed by the new delay.

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