Third runway one of Europe’s largest infrastructure projects
Heathrow, June 25, 208: In a landmark vote, the British Parliament backed expanding Heathrow Airport with a third runway, one of the UK’s most pressing infrastructure issues. Members of the British Parliament (MPs) from across political parties joined forces to clear the way for Heathrow to submit an application for development consent for the project – unlocking billions of pounds in growth and creating tens of thousands of new skilled jobs. If Heathrow is granted development consent, construction would begin in 2021 ahead of the new runway opening in 2026. Britain won’t have to wait long for the benefits of an expanded Heathrow. Over the next 12 months alone, the airport will sign £150 million worth of contracts with British businesses, creating 900 new jobs and 200 new apprenticeships.
Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “Parliament has ended 50 years of debate by deciding that Heathrow expansion will go ahead. This vote will see us deliver more jobs, create a lasting legacy of skills for future generations and guarantee expansion is delivered responsibly.” Parliament’s historic vote is the culmination of a rigorous, evidence-based selection process – including review by the independent Airports Commission and the Government – which determined not only that expanding Heathrow offers the greatest benefit to the UK, but that it can be done sustainably.
Over the past six years, Heathrow has worked with local communities to design an expansion plan that treats local people fairly. In addition to the thousands of new jobs, Heathrow has also made binding commitments to deliver a £2.6bn compensation package to local residents, implement a 6.5 hour ban on scheduled night flights and a triple lock guarantee to meet air quality obligations.
The British Parliament’s vote secures a £14bn private investment – one of the largest private projects in Europe. With up to 40 new long-haul trading links, double the cargo capacity, more competition and choice for passengers and new domestic flights – an expanded Heathrow will make Britain the best connected country in the world and sends the strongest signal to date that Britain is open for business. Over the coming days, the Secretary of State for Transport is expected to designate the final Airports National Policy Statement approved by Parliament. This will set the policy framework for Heathrow’s northwest runway development consent application.
An expanded Heathrow could make Britain the best connected country in the world
Heathrow is currently preparing to hold a second public consultation on its plans before submitting a development consent order application to the Planning Inspectorate, kick-starting an approval process expected to take 18 months.
Heathrow is Europe’s largest airport and one of the world’s top international aviation hubs counting more than 78 million passengers and over 1.7m tons of cargo a year.
Source: Heathrow Airport