UK Government confirms backing of Heathrow expansion

Heathrow - credit PA

The UK Government has confirmed its backing for a third runway at Heathrow airport.

A public consultation will now be held on the effects of airport expansion after it pipped rival Gatwick to become the preferred bidder for a new runway.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling threw the Government's weight behind the London hub, branding the verdict was a "truly momentous" step.

“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,” he said.

He added that the airport would be subject to “new legally binding” noise targets and that those living nearby will benefit from a “world class” package of compensation and mitigation.

But the decision has been met with a mixed reaction, including in Scotland where the Scottish Government supported expansion of Heathrow over Gatwick as “the best deal for Scotland”.

But the long-awaited decision risks a backlash from ministers, prominent Tory MPs and protest groups. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson opposes the expansion. 

Former Conservative London mayor candidate Zac Goldsmith, another staunch opponent of a Heathrow expansion, has announced he will quit as an MP in protest.

Sadiq Khan, the Labour candidate who tipped Goldsmith to become mayor, said the decision was "wrong for London and the whole of Britain".

“A new runway at Heathrow will be devastating for air quality across London. Heathrow already exposes more people to aircraft noise than Paris CDG, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Munich and Madrid combined," he said. 

MPs will not vote on the final decision until next winter, after a wide-ranging consultation, while Cabinet ministers will be given a free vote.

The Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) welcomed the decision and called for assurances for runway slots for Scotland.

SCDI’s director of policy and place Claire Mack said: “It is vital that new airport capacity works for and benefits the whole UK economy. The UK Government and Heathrow should ensure that approval guarantees access for Scotland’s city regions - especially those with no competitive surface alternative.

“The Airports Commission produced strong evidence that Heathrow is the best option to support our global competitiveness, particularly given its current international networks, and SCDI has found that it is also the preference of Scottish businesses.”

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce said the decision was the best outcome for North East Scotland. Research and policy director James Bream said: “Our connections to global markets are vital to the continuing prosperity of the North-east, with more than half of our members rating access to Heathrow as either important or critical to their business.”