Concerns have been raised in Parliament that Government’s impending decision on whether to expand Heathrow or Gatwick airport will be subject to a lengthy legal challenge.

 

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling (pictured) was asked by the Transport Select Committee on Monday what steps Government is taking to ensure that the decision made does not become “bogged down for a decade” in the Courts. Committee member Mark Menzies added that he hopes the announcement leads to “something that benefits passengers and the UK economy, not NIMBYs and lawyers”.

 

Chris Grayling replied: “We are going to take the decision that we collectively believe is in the best interests of the UK and that decision will not be able to go ahead in future without the consent of Parliament. Undoubtedly there will be opposition to whatever we do, but I hope the democratic will of Parliament will ultimately count.”

 

The Transport Secretary was then asked by Committee member Will Quince what forward planning has been made for the medium to long term to increase capacity at airports that do not get the green light to expand in the forthcoming announcement.

 

Chris Grayling said: “Given how long it has taken (to get to the expected decision) my focus is on doing what we need to do now. Then it is up to either this or a future Government to look at what future strategies should be.”

 

Once the impending decision over whether to expand Heathrow or Gatwick is taken, will the thinking about what comes next begin the very next day, he was then asked.

 

Chris Grayling replied: “Probably not the very next day, but Government will clearly in due course have to set out a future direction of travel. For the next 12 months the priority is on preparing a National Policy Statement.”

 

Committee chair Louise Ellman asked the Secretary of State if it will be him that makes the announcement as to whether Heathrow or Gatwick expands. “Yes,” came the reply.

 

It is understood that Government’s decision on whether to expand Heathrow or Gatwick will now be taken next week.

 

(Photo: DfT)