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AIRPORT PICKUPS LONDON

Hope For Runway Decision As Airport Leaders Meet Transport Secretary
31 - Aug - 2016

Hope for Runway Decision as Airport Leaders Meet Transport Secretary

Recently the head of the three airport schemes met with the transport secretary to discuss possible runway expansion. There is the possible addition of a third runway at Heathrow for 17.6bn, a second runway at Gatwick for 7.1bn, and last, extending Heathrow’s northern runway for 13.4bn. 

After David Cameron resigned following the Brexit vote, the decision had been postponed until the autumn after a new prime minister would be appointed. Theresa May has been in some discussions with regard to the issue, and she has not indicated that the decision will be delayed further. Those in favour of the expansion, say it has now become a decision that must be made posthaste; especially following the Brexit vote, in order to demonstrate that Britain is definitely open for business as well as future global growth.

Although expansion is a positive for the British economy, residents near both airports worry about air and noise pollution. Heathrow has said they would limit overnight flights, and Gatwick has pointed out their less populated areas around the airport, thus impacting fewer people. It has also been suggested that Gatwick has more capacity to expand. Either way, it is a noted concern that Southeast England is at or near capacity, and this could definitely have a negative impact on the economy in the future, with regard to the global business impact. 

The fact that the airport leaders are meeting with the transport secretary does appear to show that they are as anxious as everyone else to get the situation resolved one way or another. Either the plans will be approved for one of three options or all of the plans will be scrapped. We will have to wait and see what the new prime minister decides. 

By Airport Pickups London