Coalition says it’s still opposed to Heathrow expansion
Transport secretary Justine Greening has said the Government remains opposed to a third runway at Heathrow despite calls from within the Conservative Party for a re-think.
Greening, whose southwest London constituency of Putney is under the Heathrow flight path, said other options – such as building a new hub airport in the Thames Estuary and existing airports working closer together – needed to be considered.
Backbencher and senior environmentalist Tim Yeo fuelled the debate today when he told the Telegraph Prime Minister David Cameron must show whethr he was "man or a mouse" by throwing his weight behind a third runway.
However, Ms Greening told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme that nothing had changed to persuade her to reconsider the question of expanding the west London airport. She said an additional runway would provide only a short-term solution to a long-term problem and that there was no room at Heathrow to build the length of runway required for modern aircraft.
The coalition agreement between the Tories and the Liberal Democrats ruled out any expansion at London’s premier hub until after the next election. Labour has also stated that it is opposed to a third runway.
A consultation on expansion of air capacity within the southeast, which was due to start this summer, has been delayed to the frustration of airlines, which are desperate to find a solution to the gridlock at Heathrow.
There have been suggestions that the Government’s stance against a third ruway was weakening with housing minister Grant Shapps and Chancellor George Osborne reportedly in favour, but Downing Street told the BBC that the Coalition still did not see the argument for a third runway.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026