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The government has given its backing to a third runway at Heathrow.
Ministers approved the long-awaited decision at a cabinet committee meeting this morning with the scheme now to be taken forward in the form of a draft “national policy statement” for consultation next year.
The decision on a new runway has been blocked by delays and indecision for a number of years and the £16bn plan will see an increase in the number of flights at Europe’s busiest airport to more than 700,000 a year by 2030.
The proposed 3,500-metre runway, to the north west of the current northern runway will require construction of a new (sixth) terminal, putting part of the M25 into a tunnel, moving a waste energy plant and knocking down 783 homes.
Transport secretary, Chris Grayling, said: “The step that government is taking today is truly momentous. I am proud that after years of discussion and delay this government is taking decisive action to secure the UK’s place in the global aviation market – securing jobs and business opportunities for the next decade and beyond.”
“A new runway at Heathrow will improve connectivity in the itself and crucially boost our connections with the rest of the world, supporting exports, trade and job opportunities.”
The decision was welcomed by much of the construction industry. Richard Robinson, chief executive for civil infrastructure, Europe, Middle East, India and Africa at Aecom, said: “This is the right decision, not a moment too soon. As the UK prepares for post-Brexit scenarios, decisive action to increase aviation capacity where it is most needed is all the more critical.
“Giving Heathrow the green light for a third runway will enable the UK to be more outward-facing and better positioned to compete on the global stage.”
He added: “The focus now must be on accelerating delivery. Quickly securing the right legal mandate via the necessary environmental and planning approvals is vital.”
Nick Baveystock, director general of the Institution of Civil Engineers, commented: “The government’s decision to increase UK aviation capacity is welcome. It provides a huge boost to UK plc at a time of uncertainty.”
Others remained more cautious on today’s announcement and stated that the issue was still far from settled. Jeremy Blackburn, head of policy at RICS said: “While the decision over Heathrow has finally provided the UK with some much-needed certainty during a time of great economic and political change, it would be naive to draw the airport debate to a close.
“All three proposals were feasible and given the projected population growth in the south east of England, the expansion of Gatwick should not be dismissed out of hand.”
The announcement was slammed by others, including London mayor Sadiq Khan who condemned the government’s decision and said he will be involved in fighting it with a legal challenge.
The mayor tweeted this morning: “Heathrow expansion is the wrong decision for London” and would be “devastating for air quality across London”.
An expanded Gatwick would have boosted our economy without the huge air and noise pollution problems Heathrow will create 2/6
— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) October 25, 2016
A new runway at Heathrow will be devastating for air quality across London. Air pollution around Heathrow already exceeds legal levels. 4/6
— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) October 25, 2016
Wrong Decision. We need a super airport built from scratch somewhere in the Thames Estuary – like, Hong Kong, Dubai, Doha, etc. have all done.
Then we build houses on the land at Heathrow and Gatwick airports and the profits from their sale will pay for the new airport, motorway and rail links.