Andy Burnham refuses to back third runway at Heathrow

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has not expressed support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport following the revelation that the expansion could be delayed by up to four years. The expansion, which Burnham opposed as Mayor of Greater Manchester, was initially projected to open by 2035. However, Heathrow indicated that the new runway may not be operational until 2039.

During his first annual Labour Party conference, Burnham emphasized the importance of listening to local voices when making decisions about the project. Heathrow Airport concurred with Burnham's stance, stating that local communities support their expansion plans, with support only growing over time.

The £33 billion project has faced opposition from environmental campaigners and local resident groups, as well as from London's Mayor Sadiq Khan. The construction of a third runway would involve demolishing hundreds of homes, diverting rivers, and rerouting a section of the M25 motorway through a tunnel. However, the expansion is projected to create 100,000 jobs and significantly boost the UK economy.

Unions Unite and the GMB have supported the idea of a third runway at Heathrow. Sharon Graham, Unite's general secretary, stated that a third runway is essential and that they need to move forward with the project. She added that it is not just about infrastructure, but also about creating good, unionized jobs and ensuring a steady market for UK steel.

Heathrow Airport acknowledged that meeting the original deadline for the expansion would become increasingly challenging without further simplification of the planning process. The airport hopes to secure planning permission by 2029 and open the runway within a decade. The Department for Transport acknowledged that the timeline had always been ambitious and would continue to work with stakeholders promptly on the matter.