Third runway at Heathrow cleared for takeoff by ministers
8 replies, posted
[QUOTE]The government has approved a third runway at Heathrow to expand UK airport capacity following a cabinet committee meeting on Tuesday.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the "truly momentous" decision would support trade and create jobs.
Gatwick airport said it was disappointed with the decision, which was "not the right answer for Britain".
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson - a vocal opponent of Heathrow - said a third runway was "undeliverable".
The MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip in west London doubted whether construction would ever start: "The day when the bulldozers appear is a long way off, if indeed they ever materialise."
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, also said expanding the west London airport was the wrong decision for both London and the UK.
Greenpeace UK chief John Sauven said a third runway at Heathrow would increase air pollution and "be a waste of time, money and lives".
A wide range of unions and business groups welcomed the decision to expand Heathrow. TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said it was "absolutely vital for Britain", while CBI chief Paul Drechsler said it would create jobs and boost economic growth.
Heathrow management said the airport was ready to deliver a third runway that was "fair, affordable and secures the benefits of expansion for the whole of the UK".[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37760187[/url]
And in bright news:
[QUOTE]Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith is set to resign and force a by-election in his constituency in a protest against the government's backing for a new runway at Heathrow Airport.
Mr Goldsmith's local Conservative association confirmed he would honour his longstanding pledge.
The Richmond Park MP and ex-London mayoral candidate has long campaigned against Heathrow expansion.
He described the government's decision as "catastrophic".[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37764269[/url]
For some reason when I read the title I thought that it meant Christian ministers, needless to say I was very confused!
Why is this such a bad decision according to some people? Isn't an international airport only having two runways quite unusual?
Apart from the people who live near Heathrow and the environment what could be "catastrophic" about an additional runway?
London's airport is always crowded it's ridiculous. Hopefully a third runway will lead to a better traffic and less waiting time.
[QUOTE=Raidyr;51259631]Why is this such a bad decision according to some people? Isn't an international airport only having two runways quite unusual?[/QUOTE]
There have been some international airports that have built expensive runways, only for the runway to be extremely underused. Lambert Airport in St. Louis has that kind of problem with Runway 11/29, which cost a cool $1.1 billion.
I don't know about Heathrow, though. They may be able to pull it off.
Sweet, if we get this third runway I can see it from my house. :D
[QUOTE=Cheshire_cat;51261343]There have been some international airports that have built expensive runways, only for the runway to be extremely underused. Lambert Airport in St. Louis has that kind of problem with Runway 11/29, which cost a cool $1.1 billion.
I don't know about Heathrow, though. They may be able to pull it off.[/QUOTE]
The controversy in this case is that we in Britain stupidly built all of airports really near people so they're loud and polluting to those nearby
[QUOTE=FlashMarsh;51261408]The controversy in this case is that we in Britain stupidly built all of airports really near people so they're loud and polluting to those nearby[/QUOTE]
Ah, I see. Pardon my ignorance about European city design, but how would you build an airport that is both readily accessible and far enough from housing that it wouldn't be a problem? Judging from maps on the Internet, Heathrow is already on the very edges of Greater London. It seems like any further out and the airport would lose the advantages of its strategic placement.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.