04 December 2008

Heathrow third runway decision delayed

Transport secretary Geoff Hoon has put back a decision on expanding Heathrow with a third runway until January.

A decision had been expected this month following a consultation process which closed on November 9.

The highly controversial third runway proposal was debated in the House of Commons on November 5, just weeks after Hoon was appointed.

The Department for Transport revealed that 70,000 responses to the consultation had been received.

Hoon said today: ââ¬ÅâœI share the desire on all sides of the House, and among the wider public for this issue to be resolved.  I am equally aware of the importance of reaching the right conclusion. 

ââ¬ÅâœI know that there are strong views across a range of interests. 

ââ¬ÅâœI will ensure that I give proper consideration to the evidence before me and will therefore take more time before making an announcement to the House, in January 2009.ââ¬~

The 2003 ââ¬ÅâœThe Future of Air Transportââ¬~ White Paper made clear that given the economic benefits to the UK, the Government supported the further development of Heathrow by adding a third runway and exploring the scope for making greater use of the existing runways, subject to meeting strict local conditions on air quality, noise and improving public transport access, Hoon said in a statement.

But more than 140 MPs have signed a Commons motion calling on the government to consider other options to a third runway.

Airport operator BAA and airlines such as the airport's main user British Airways have been lobbying hard for the third runway plans to be approved.

by Phil Davies 

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• Farnborough Instead
  
  

  Why does Heathrow need a 3rd runway when Farnborough 18 miles away has an excellent runway. All it needs is a larger terminal and a hi-speed monorail link. No problem

  By Paul Neaves, Thursday, December 4, 2008
• Third Runway
  
  

  There's more to this than just extra flights that everyone talks about. Existing runways are full, hence the often long long delays queuing for take-offs (engines running continuiously don't forget)and the endless stacking (how much extra polution, noise and cost is that causing!!) A third runway would give the extra and spare capacity required to solve those existing problems and also help LHR cope much better when one runway is non-operational for any reason. I do appreciate the arguments but i think polution would reduce as would much of the grief of using LHR. Compared to many international airports around the world, LHR is a mess.

  By K Standen Standen, Thursday, December 4, 2008
• Heathrow Third Runway
  
  

  Heathrow third runway should be put on hold or scrapped.

  By HARRY CICHY, Thursday, December 4, 2008