Continued indecision by Government over the location of an expanded airport in the South East is costing the UK economy dear and must end, the Transport Select Committee said this morning.
Its chair Louise Ellman has urged the Secretary of State to set out a clear timetable for airport expansion. She said that arguments for and against expansion have changed little in a quarter of a century.
Government promised last December that the case for expansion was ‘clear’ but that further work was needed before a decision could be taken on location. Work should, the Government indicated, ‘conclude over the summer’.
But fears have been expressed by industry sources that fallout from the EU Referendum may push a decision about aviation expansion to the sidelines.
“The Government must make up its mind,” Louise Ellman said. “The decision on location is not the end of the process, it is the start of one. Real progress cannot begin until the location is declared. Work on environmental issues can run in parallel with other pre construction work.”
She added: “The months ticking by constitute time wasted for the UK’s economic prosperity. Doing nothing means the UK continues to lose out.”
The Confederation of British Industry told TP Weekly News that the continued indecision over expansion and “a lack of any clear direction” from Government is holding back prospects for UK firms.
CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn said: “Now is the time for real leadership on expanding the UK’s aviation capacity. A decision from the Government to commit to delivering a new runway will provide an enormous boost to Britain’s workers, makers and exporters.
“After three years of evidence gathering and a decisive report from the Airports Commission, businesses want to see Government maintain the positive momentum this has delivered, by making a clear decision with a timetable for action.”
The Civil Engineering Contractors Association said that immediate action is needed to address the airport capacity problem, if the UK is to maintain a competitive advantage globally.
“We call on the Government to commit to the recommendations of the Davies Commission for a third runway at Heathrow," said head of external affairs Marie-Claude Hemming. "This is a decision that must not be kicked into the long grass yet again.”
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “The case for aviation expansion is clear, but it is vitally important we get the decision right so that it will benefit generations to come. The Government will continue to consider the evidence before reaching a view on its preferred scheme.
“We are undertaking more work on environmental impacts, including air quality, noise and carbon so we can develop the best possible package of measures to mitigate the impacts on local people. We anticipate that this work will conclude by the summer.”
The Airports Commission chaired by Sir Howard Davies concluded in July last year that a new North West runway at Heathrow presented the strongest case out of three schemes shortlisted.
(Photo: Heathrow Airport Limited)
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