Report backs third Heathrow runway
1 July 2015
From the section Business
The Airports Commission has backed a third Heathrow runway, saying it will add £147bn in economic growth and 70,000 jobs by 2050.
It would also connect Britain to over 40 new destinations around the world.
Sir Howard Davies’s report said that the new runway should come with severe restrictions to reduce the environmental and noise effects.
Night flights should be banned and the government should make a Parliamentary pledge not to build a fourth runway.
It also recommends an aviation noise levy to fund insulation for homes and schools, and a legal commitment should be made on air quality.
Sir Howard said that a second runway at Gatwick was a “credible” option but was less able to provide connections to long-haul destinations and would create lower levels of economic growth.
Heathrow welcomed the Commission’s decision saying it would now work with government to “deliver expansion for all of Britain”.
But Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said the airport was “still very much in the race”.
“The Commission’s report makes clear that expansion at Gatwick is deliverable,” he added.
‘Clear and unanimous’
A third option for extending the present runways at Heathrow was rejected.
Sir Howard said that the recommendation for a new runway to the north of the present airport was “clear and unanimous”.
“The best answer is to expand Heathrow’s capacity through a new north-west runway,” Sir Howard said.
“Heathrow is best placed to provide the type of capacity which is most urgently required: long haul destinations to new markets.
“It provides the greatest benefits for business passengers and the broader economy.
“Adding capacity at Heathrow also provides an opportunity to change the airport’s relationship with its local communities.
“To make expansion possible the Commission recommends a comprehensive package of measures including a ban on night flights and a new noise levy to fund a far stronger and more generous set of compensation and mitigation schemes.”
Noise levels
The Commission admits that expanding Heathrow would mean many more people affected by noise compared to expanding Gatwick.
But it claims that quieter aircraft and home insulation would mean that overall noise levels would fall for …read more
Source:: BBC UK
