Burnham dodges questions on Heathrow third runway as project faces four-year delay
Airport chiefs say 2035 operations deadline unachievable as critics say new delay makes case for project ‘even more dubious’ Plans for a third runway at Heathrow are once again up in the air after the prime minister refused to say whether he backs the “contested” project which is delayed by up to four years. Over the weekend it emerged that Heathrow no longer expects to meet the original 2035…
Plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport have once again become uncertain after the prime minister declined to give a clear stance on the controversial project. The original deadline of 2035 for the airport's operations is now considered unattainable, with Heathrow aiming to secure planning permission by 2029 and have the runway operational by 2039.
The delay comes as support for the project wanes, including from Labour Party candidate Andy Burnham, who avoided direct questions about his stance on the matter during the Labour Party Conference.
The proposed £33 billion expansion would increase the airport's capacity to handle up to 756,000 flights annually, from the current cap of 480,000. Proponents claim the project would generate 100,000 jobs and provide a significant economic boost to the UK. However, critics argue that the delay and estimated costs make the economic case for the expansion even more questionable.
Tony Bosworth, a climate campaigner, emphasized that the start date's postponement only weakens the already dubious economic case, while the social and environmental costs far outweigh any potential benefits.
The No 3rd Runway Coalition, which includes prominent figures such as Robert Barnstone, stated that the future of the project should be determined in London, as it would primarily affect Londoners. The GMB and Unite unions both expressed their support for the project, highlighting the potential job creation, particularly for unionized workers and the steel industry.
Heathrow itself emphasized that the airport's existing runways have been operating at full capacity for over two decades and that the expansion is crucial for the nation's economic growth.
However, a recent Department for Transport report revealed that other English and Welsh airports might face significant losses in passengers if Heathrow proceeds with the third runway, which could negatively impact regional employment. The government also cautioned that the overall economic benefits could be lower than initially anticipated, while the project might have severe adverse effects on local health.
The DfT clarified that there is currently no live planning application for the third runway and urged stakeholders to expedite the process, as the timeline has always been ambitious.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
