The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation welcomes the statement on airport capacity.

CIHT Chief Executive, Sue Percy, said:

“CIHT has consistently called for an Integrated Transport Strategy and the need to increase runway capacity in London and the South East .

“Today’s announcement echo’s the Airport Commission’s recommendations in July 2015 and CIHT is disappointed that a decision was not taken at that time. Had the government made this announcement then, the public consultation, announced today, would be a step closer to completion.  As it stands, everyone affected faces a further period of uncertainty.

“High quality international connectivity is vital to the UK’s economic wellbeing. As identified by the Airports Commission, our national hub airport, Heathrow, operates at almost full capacity. This limits the scope for improving connections to new markets in terms of passengers, freight and for UK regional connecting flights, all particularly pertinent in light of Brexit.  

“It is now important that government and opposition parties work together to take forward the decision. Continued delay undermines the resilience of the UKs transport networks.”

 

CIHT will look carefully at the details which come forward in the consultation over the coming months and will respond accordingly.

 

You can read the statement, given by the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/airport-capacity