UK PM Burnham refuses to back Heathrow’s third runway project

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has refused to immediately support plans to construct a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport, stating that the decision should be made by those living near the airport. The government, led by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, endorsed Heathrow's expansion proposal last year, but it must first go through a lengthy planning process.

Burnham told the BBC during the Labour Party's annual conference that it is "not right for me to just jump straight in on the back of the consultation" and that he needs to hear the concerns of local residents first.

Heathrow's expansion has been a contentious issue for over two decades, dividing politicians and communities. The airport currently operates at 99% capacity and risks being surpassed by other European airports in terms of capacity. Its two runways are compared to four each at Paris' Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt airports, and six at Amsterdam's Schiphol.

Residents near Heathrow have long complained about noise pollution, safety risks from overflights, and the environmental impact of increased carbon emissions. However, businesses and workers' unions have raised concerns about the potential delays to the airport's expansion and its impact on Britain's economic growth and job prospects.

GMB, a union representing Heathrow workers, emphasized that while local voices should be considered, many of the workers supporting expansion also live in the city. They urged the prime minister to support the project, stating that "Heathrow is Britain's front door, and businesses in every region trade through it."