Decision On Third Runway Delayed
a result of "dithering" or the need for "proper consideration"?
A verdict on the controversial plans, which are opposed local MP, Councils, environmentalists and residents, had been expected before Christmas. Airport owner BAA says the runway is vital for Heathrow to stay competitive.
Secretary of State for Transport, Geoff Hoon has announced he will delay taking a decision on Heathrow till January amid rumours of a Cabinet split on the controversial decision.
Local anti-Heathrow expansion campaigner and Putney, Roehampton and Southfields MP Justine Greening said:
“This delay shows that even Ministers have doubts about going ahead with the expansion of Heathrow. Our community has spoken with one voice against expansion and it’s time that Ministers stopped dithering, did the right thing, and dropped their reckless plans to expand Heathrow that will ruin Londoners’ quality of life and environment. A future Conservative government has already ruled out expanding Heathrow and we really need the Secretary of State to accept that this proposal is the wrong one and ditch it now.”
Airport owner BAA says the runway is vital for Heathrow to stay competitive.
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said there were "strong views" which needed "proper consideration". But the Tories accused ministers of "dithering". In a statement, Mr Hoon said the government had made it clear it supported a third runway at Heathrow - subject to environmental controls.
He said a consultation into the impact of such a project had finished on 9 November and he had begun to consider the evidence, including 70,000 responses.
"I 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," he said.
"I know that there are strong views across a range of interests. I 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."
Labours candidate for Putney Stuart King (pictured right) said:
"Like John Stewart of HACAN I welcome the news that the Government is giving proper consideration to the 70,000 responses it has received. I remain opposed to the building of a third runway and the use of both runways for landings and take offs simultaneously. If additional capacity is required then it should be shared across other regional airports instead."
Wandsworth Council leader Edward Lister (pictured left),speaking on behalf of 2M, said:
"The Government's plans are in complete disarray. They can't meet the air quality limits, they can't solve the noise problems and they've understated the impact of extra traffic on the roads.
"Ministers don't have an answer to the six million dollar question – how can the public trust you to keep expansion within air quality limits when you won't do it now? The new climate change targets have changed the whole economic equation. Why should one sector of industry be able to get away with increased emissions when everyone else has to cut back? Who will really pay the price for uncontrolled expansion at Heathrow?
"Whatever the claimed economic benefits for expansion, these should be fairly and independently costed and set against alternatives like a high speed rail network linking the major UK city centres. I suspect the DfT will be spending the next eight weeks re-working the figures in desperate bid to prop up the case for expansion. Their time would be better employed coming up with a new set of sustainable transport policies that benefit the whole nation."
December 5, 2008