Transport Committee calls for Heathrow expansion
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MPs on the Transport Committee has called for expansion at Heathrow above building a new London airport, it was revealed today.
In its report for the Government’s Aviation Strategy inquiry, the group of MPs said a third runway at London’s main airport was “long overdue” and plans for a fourth runway ‘may have merit’ especially if built further west to minimise noise for those under the flight path.
It dismissed Boris Johnson’s idea of a new airport in the east of London on grounds that it would come at a huge public cost and the impact on wildlife habitat, as well as the consequences of closing Heathrow as a result.
“Aviation is vital to our economy and it is essential for the UK to maintain its status with an international aviation hub offering connectivity to a wide range of destinations across the globe. We recognise that demand for air travel across the UK is forecast to grow, believe that aviation should be permitted to expand and accept that more capacity is necessary to accommodate sustainable aviation growth,” said Louise Ellman, chair of the House of Commons’ Transport Committee.
“Heathrow – the UK’s only hub airport – has been short of capacity for a decade and is currently operating at full capacity. We conclude that a third runway at Heathrow is necessary, but also suggest that a four-runway proposal may have merit, especially if expanding to locate two new runways westwards from the current site could curb the noise experienced by people affected under the flight path.”
The MPs also dismissed the idea that adding capacity at Gatwick and Stansted could help the capacity problem in the south-east, although encouraged Gatwick “to develop a robust business case for its vision of a second runway”.
The report called on the Airports Commission to consider all factors in its decision including HS2 and look at the impact of an unrestricted open skies policy outside the south-east to open up new routes and promote those airports outside the main area.
It also encouraged the Government to consider looking into assess the impact and set differential rates for Air Passenger Duty (APD) as well as introduce a tax holiday for a 12-month trial period for new services operating from airports outside the south east.
Other suggestions included ensuring HS2 and other rail routes connect to airports efficiently and look generally into rail and road access.