Third Heathrow runway in doubt as decision is delayed

A postponement to next month of the long-planned announcement was declared by Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon to give him more time to weigh the evidence.

The decision had been expected within days - and the delay fuelled feverish speculation that some Cabinet ministers are going cold on Heathrow expansion because of the massive political fallout.

"I share the desire for this issue to be resolved," Mr Hoon assured MPs. "I am equally aware of the importance of reaching the right conclusion.

"I know there are strong views across a range of interests. I will ensure that I give proper consideration to the evidence and will therefore take more time."

But Labour MP John Grogan said he was increasingly convinced that the extra runway was now in doubt.

"Three weeks ago ministers were preparing to rubberstamp the third runway but as the extent of parliamentary opposition has become clear they have stepped back," he said.

"The delay can only mean one thing - that there is fierce debate going on in government at the very highest level."

Business group London First expressed frustration with the delay. "We need a decision on a new runway soon - there's nothing the market hates more than prolonged uncertainty," said a spokesman.

Backers say a third runway is vital to prevent the premier airport being overtaken by rivals in Europe, undermining London's future prosperity.

But the scheme, which is backed in principle by the Government subject to various environmental tests, has lost momentum in recent months, amid rumblings from Labour rebels including former London Minister Nick Raynsford and former Environment Minister Michael Meacher.

Environmental campaigners say it would mean more flights, noise and pollution over west London.

Mr Hoon was confronted by fierce opposition from Labour MPs when the issue was debated in the Commons and there are concerns among government whips that any vote in the House could be lost.

Six months ago, Tory leader David Cameron looked isolated when he opposed the scheme but since then the campaigners against Heathrow expansion have gathered support.

A delay, with the minister clearly undecided, will be used by both sides in the debate to intensify their campaigning in the hope of swinging the outcome.

Environmental group Hacan ClearSkies today claimed the credit crunch had made the third runway "obsolete".

Hacan claims the Department for Transport document, which contains more than 70,000 responses from the public, has became irrelevant because it was completed before the downturn.

It called on the new Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband to challenge his Cabinet colleagues over the plans.

This week the Standard revealed that Hacan is planning direct action in the new year to bring Heathrow to a standstill. Protesters said they wanted to make the Government pay for "broken promises" by targeting leading MPs and Heathrow officials.