Business group: United Kingdom will lose £31bn waiting for new runway

The added capacity could also bring down the cost of flying for passengers.

(Above and below) Gatwick Airport remains in contention, claims CEO Stewart Wingate.

“Gatwick is still very much in the race”, he said.

The commission also recommended last week that a congestion charge at Heathrow “should” be considered as part of the mitigating measures accompanying a third runway. What this means is that we’re losing out in the global connectivity race: Paris already offers 50% more flights to China than London, for example.

“We are confident that when the Government makes that decision they will choose Gatwick as the only deliverable option”.

North Chiswick, including Bedford Park and Acton Green will be worst hit and areas which now have respite from runway alternation, such as Grove Park, would endure increased noise, according to local expertise. “The report carefully sets out how this can be achieved”. But this could be avoided, if a decision is made before the end of the year.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson has remained resolutely against the plan for a third runway at Heathrow, supported by the Richmond MP Zac Goldsmith.

Additional capacity at Heathrow is critical to allow importers and exporters to access new and emerging markets in Asia, South America and the Indian sub-continent. the FTA urges the Government to take on board these recommendations and act quickly.

Heathrow has the support of the Federation of Small Businesses. ‘The commission has been clear in its recommendation to the Government, and so are we – get on with building it without delay.

“When it comes to airport capacity, time is money”, she will say. Pollution is also likely to increase from extra traffic on the A4/M4 corridor and possibly on Chiswick High Road.

“Unforgiving on our local services and infrastructure”. Equally, the environment and residents need to be protected.

Leader of Ealing Council Julian Bell said: “Given the millions of pounds that have been spent on the independent commission, it is only right that we give this detailed report proper consideration”.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said, “My department has received the final report from the Airports Commission and will now consider that advice in detail”.

It said Gatwick should be ruled out, since its only major transport links are the London to Brighton railway line and the M23, which only connects to the heavily congested M25.

Sir Howard Davies’s report, published on Wednesday, backed Heathrow’s £17 billion expansion plan – saying it would provide a £147bn boost to Britain’s economy over 60 years – but only if it met a host of restrictions on noise and air pollution.

“Unsurprising, the commission has found in favour of Heathrow, as a strongly unanimously preferred option as the significantly better option for Britain. The Prime Minister would do better to ignore the Davies fudge and the aviation industry’s hype, and question instead whether a new runway is needed it all”.

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