Grayling says expanded Heathrow demands better regional connectivity
Transport secretary Chris Grayling has promised a new runway at Heathrow will generate better air transport links inside the UK.
Announcing the government's support for a new runway at the site in the House of Commons, Grayling said the expanded airport will provide six more domestic routes across the UK by 2030, including to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
"We are very clear this expansion must include binding provision for links to those parts of the country. This has to be a benefit to the entire United Kingdom and it will be," he said.
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Grayling added the government would take "all necessary steps" to ensure improved connectivity, including potentially ring-fencing of new slots.
The transport secretary also said that London's other airports would be boosted by improvements to the M25 and Thameslink services.
"There are things already happening to improve surface access links to our airports," he said.
Grayling also refused any claim that the progress on the runway had been delayed, with MPs unable to vote on the plan until winter 2017-18.
Heathrow will only be able to submit a detailed planning application after MPs are balloted.
In the meantime, Grayling said the plan would be subject to a “full and extensive” public consultation.
“I make no apologies for the fact that we have taken the time to get it right,” Grayling said.