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First meeting of business council calls for third Heathrow runway
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard06.10.08
Boris Johnson has been asked to reconsider his opposition to a third runway at Heathrow in a meeting with top business leaders.
The Mayor was taking part in the first session of his newly-created International Business Advisory Council for London which is designed to help attract global companies to the capital.
It is chaired by Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of global advertising giant WPP, and has representatives from companies in 12 countries.
Other members of the 58-strong board include Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways, Stuart Rose, chief executive of Marks & Spencer and Stephen Green, the group chief executive of HSBC holdings. Sir Martin, who recently announced that part of WPP is moving to Dublin for tax reasons, said: "We talked about how a third runway was important for business and while he listened, Boris explained that he was concerned about the 'livability' issue.
"This council is a very useful sounding board and was also important to talk about the financial situation. Some people think it is the beginning of the end, while others say it's the end of the beginning. Boris might not be able to bail out banks, but he has been supportive of the good things that have been done and he can take our views forward."
Other issues discussed included the need to continue improving the capital's transport infrastructure, making London a more affordable place to live and the transformation that will be delivered by the 2012 Games.
Mr Johnson said: "Bringing some of the world's best business minds together at City Hall could not be better timed. Like many world cities, London's economy, its markets and its businesses are feeling the effect of the global credit crunch."
Responding to WPP's move to Dublin, Mr Johnson said: "The Government must rethink its strategy on taxation as many council members reaffirmed that the current system is highly likely to drive more great enterprises like Sir Martin's WPP to base their headquarters overseas"
Reader views (11)
We need the 3rd and 4th runway for london to be competiting against few other cities like NYC (4runways), Paris(5+1).Our govt needs to act quickly or else all business shall move out of London or even UK. UK has lost a lot of companies in last 3yrs, we cannot afford to loose more.
- Neil Patel, london
Maybe those business leaders who want a third runway would like to move here and be woken regularly at dawn by screeching jets above their roofs.
- Alex, South West London
We need a new airport and in the Essex estuary. I used to vote Nu Labor but they are bunglars on this as well. My vote is for Boris to make the right choice. I have no trust in Mr. Bean Brown!
- Georgie, Islington, London
"Let them live under the flight path in West Hounslow or Cranford for a month and see if a dose of ordinary living changes these toffs' minds." - Doug Watt
I am a businessman and I live under Heathrow's flightpath and enjoying every moment of it. I also happen to be a plane spotter and aviation enthusiast. Bring on the third runway. As for those who whine about the noise, feel free to move elsewhere.
- Ed, Hounslow
Why don't we peg-out Martin Sorrell and the rest of the motley crew onto the runway while the planes are landing and they will see why we do not want another runway!
- Vince London, West London
Let them live under the flight path in West Hounslow or Cranford for a month and see if a dose of ordinary living changes these toffs' minds. London is with you on this one Boris.
- Doug Watt, london e14
I believe Boris has made the correct decision
This madness must be stopped - we can't go on expanding indefinately. In the short term, with a possibly severe recession looming, air travel is likely to subside.
Quality of life should be paramount.
- Bill Caplin, Camden
I read today that the new head of the Environment Agency, Lord Smith of Finsbury has said the government had lost track of the green issues and said a new runway would fail EU air pollution limits. So why does the government supported by a few large companies and trade unions persist with the daft idea of demolishing entire villages to make Heathrow even bigger?
- Tony Gleave, London
As the owner of a business employing 5 people I guess it was not surprising that an invitation to this meeting was not forthcoming. However I do hope that Boris Johnson does ask the wider business community for their views on another runway at Heathrow. Personally, I am completely against the idea simply because Heathrow is in the wrong place and support the idea of a new airport for London in the Thames Estuary.
- Steve Chambers, London NW11
I wrote to Boris Johnson, when he first put together this council saying that the member he had chosen including Willie Walsh would use it to lobby for a third runway.
Its so depressing to be right! Heathrow cannot expand for the lives and health of Londoners will be affected.
- William Barrett, Chiswick
Do any of these business Great & Good live underneath the approaches to Heathrow?
Cough, cough.
- Anthony Vesely, Isleworth
