London airport expansion: Business groups rally on government again after Heathrow accepts conditions for expansion
Business groups have jumped on pledges by Heathrow Airport to reduce night flights, as well as curtail noise and pollution, to urge the government to make a decision on aviation expansion after months of dithering.
Heathrow Airport today promised to make the concessions if it is allowed to build a new, third runway, ahead of the government's decision this summer on whether to expand Heathrow or Gatwick.
The Institute of Directors seized on the news, stating the government has "run out of excuses" for delaying airport expansion.
"Now that the Davies Commission has looked at all the options, and the mayoral election is out of the way, it is imperative that the Government announces where this crucial infrastructure will be built before we reach the summer recess," Simon Walker, director of the Institute of Directors, said.
Read more: Heathrow backs down on night flights to get third runway off the ground
"Business is crying out for expanded capacity. It is high time the Government stops kicking this issue into the long grass and makes a decision. When businesses are doing their best to expand, it’s only right that politicians support them by getting shovels in the ground," he added.
Meanwhile, business group London First said that the pledges should remove any lasting objections to expansion at Heathrow.
David Leam, infrastructure director at London First, said: "Heathrow’s new commitments on night flights and air quality will enable government to focus on the terms on which expansion should take place, rather than re-running the tired old arguments about whether expansion should take place at all. This vital infrastructure project will drive jobs and growth across the country and is long overdue."
Read more: Exasperated business bosses want second runway at Gatwick if Heathrow expansion faces further delays
The London Chamber of Commerce agreed, stating that the pledges were a timely reminder to the government that there can be no more excuses and a decision must be made before the summer parliamentary recess.
The warnings come as Heathrow chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, wrote to the prime minister, saying: “Today, I am proud to submit a comprehensive plan that meets and exceeds your demands. This is a big commitment from us, but it is the right choice for the country, local communities and jobs across Britain."
Last year, the independent Airports Commission, headed by Lord Howard Davies, said Heathrow should be expanded, but with severe environmental restrictions.
But old opposition dies hard, with Green Party Member of the London Assembly, Caroline Russell, warning that the concessions would lead to a "white elephant runway".
"Expanding capacity at Heathrow by this much would breach our climate change targets, unless even bigger taxes were levied on flights to stop people using all of it. The Government should drop its plans for airport expansion and invest in sustainable transport options to underpin real prosperity for the UK," Russell said.