Government has affirmed its support for expanding Heathrow after Transport Secretary Chris Grayling laid the final proposal for an Airports National Policy Statement before Parliament yesterday.

 

The statement sets the policy framework for the development of a new North West runway at the airport, which Chris Grayling told the House of Commons would provide benefits worth up to £74Bn to passengers and the economy.

 

“The time for action is now,” he said. “Despite being the busiest two runway airport in the world, Heathrow’s capacity constraints mean it is falling behind its global competitors – impacting the UK’s economy and global trading opportunities.”

 

He added: “Taking such a decision is never easy. My department has met with local residents and fully understands their strength of feeling, but this is a decision taken in the national interest and based on detailed evidence.”

 

Over the next few weeks Parliament will debate and vote on the National Policy Statement. If it votes in favour, a second process for obtaining development consent can then be undertaken by the airport. Expansion will be financed privately.

 

Responding to the Government’s announcement, Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “We urge all MPs to vote for expansion. Their votes will connect all of Britain to global trade, increase competition and choice for passengers and create tens of thousands of new skilled jobs for future generations.”

 

Civil Engineering Contractors Association director of external affairs Marie-Claude Hemming said: “The case for Heathrow expansion as the optimal solution to addressing the UK’s projected aviation needs has been made.

 

“The Government must ensure that the scheme is now expedited and brought forward to market, if it is to ensure that the UK is to remain globally competitive and to secure post-Brexit growth.”

 

Confederation of British Industry deputy director general Josh Hardie said: “It’s fantastic that the new runway at Heathrow is getting closer to take off. Our aviation capacity is set to run out as early as 2025, so it’s crucial we get spades in the ground as soon as possible.

 

“The new air links the runway will create will unlock growth and help create jobs at home, and enable more businesses to export their goods and services to booming markets.”

 

However environmental campaigners remain opposed to the plans. Friends of the Earth campaigner Jenny Bates said: “Heathrow expansion would be bad news for our climate and bring more noise, air pollution and misery to local residents. MPs must stand up for local people and our environment and vote against this scheme.”

 

Greenpeace UK executive director John Sauven added that the new runway would make Londoners’ air more dangerous to breathe, “contributing to an air pollution crisis that’s already cutting short thousands of lives”.

 

Chris Grayling told Parliament that the National Policy Statement requires expansion to be delivered alongside a comprehensive package of measures to support affected communities and protect the environment. 

 

The Campaign for Better Transport added that the Government has so far given little detail on how new surface transport links needed to accommodate Heathrow’s expansion will be funded.

 

The group’s chief executive Stephen Joseph said: “If this bill ends up with the Government and Transport for London, then it will take money away from other transport investment, in London and elsewhere.

 

“MPs outside London who are supporting the third runway should be careful what they wish for – they may find that this will add to the shortage of transport investment in their areas and increase further the disparity between the South East and the rest of the country.”

 

♦ Government has also committed to support other UK airports with initiatives aimed at making best use of capacity on their existing runways, as long as they address economic and environmental planning issues.