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Heathrow runway 'has won secret go-ahead'
Elizabeth Hopkirk and Robert Mendick23.09.08
A third runway at Heathrow has already received secret government approval, it was claimed today.
The decision, likely to be announced in the run-up to Christmas, wrecks Mayor Boris Johnson's ambitious scheme for a new 24-hour airport in the Thames estuary.
Ministers have let it be known they want to go ahead with the Heathrow expansion - even though tens of thousands of objections are still being sifted through following a public consultation.
A decision on Heathrow had been expected this summer but was delayed by the strength of opposition to the proposal from an alliance of environment campaigners and west London residents. Labour MPs in marginal London seats fear a backlash if Heathrow gets the goahead before the next election.
Mr Johnson announced at the weekend he had commissioned a feasibility study into the development of a new airport, most likely built on an artificial island off Sheppey in Kent.
But The Times reported today transport sources who said the Government was determined "to make the third runway happen". Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has previously expressed her support for Heathrow's expansion and received backing from Gordon Brown and Business Secretary John Hutton.
The third runway, which could cost anywhere between £7billion and £13billion, would boost Heathrow capacity from 480,000 flights a year to 702,000.
The Department of Transport is poring over 70,000 responses to its public consultation, most opposed to expansion. The consultation was branded flawed by opponents, who said questionnaires were not sent to thousands of residents who would be affected. Today's news will be greeted with horror by anti-Heathrow campaigners and is likely to lead to an escalation in direct action.
Activists have recruited residents from some of west London's wealthiest boroughs to be trained in protest techniques.
They are prepared to risk arrest in nonviolent "attacks" on the airport. John Stewart, chairman of protest group HACAN ClearSkies, said his supporters felt they were being ignored, adding: "People feel they have nothing to lose."
The Government's 2003 White Paper supported an expansion of airport capacity. Business chiefs say the third runway would provide a £1billion boost to the economy.
THE FLIGHTPATH TO EXPANSION
December 2003: then Transport Secretary Alistair Darling publishes a White Paper on the future of air travel including a key proposal for a third runway at Heathrow to be built by if it meets environmental targets.
December 2006: the Department for Transport confirms it backs expansion after releasing a progress report.
August 2007: Climate Camp for Action stages a week-long protest in a field next to Heathrow, attracting 2,000 campaigners opposed to expansion.
November 2007: the Government launches a public consultation. It receives 70,000 responses, most of them opposed to the scheme.
July 2008: Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly delays decision on expansion until the end of the year.
Reader views (25)
A third runway is essential as heathrow is getting overcrowded.
People have the right to protest, but should also understand that we need to move on with time. its not medieval britain anymore. grow up and get on with it.
- Roy, london
Since when does public opinion matter under this current regime. Same thing happened here in Farnborough. Plenty of opposition on the increase in flights at Farnborough "business" airport, even the toothless council turned down the application - sounds good so far? Give it to Gordie's morons to consider, Ruth Kelly in this case and hey presto - the increase is passed paving the way for more increases in the future.
- Gareth, Farnborough, Hampshire
Despicable! But would the Tories be any different? No. Infact, its almost like we elect the same people each time repackaged as a different brand... Labour, Tory... Time for a different political system perhaps - one that listens to the people?
- Matt, London, UK
if this goes ahead i will not vote labour at the next election. and i have done so all my life.
- Dave Vanian, london
Anyone who honestly think's Boris's old idea for an airport in the Estuary will go ahead is seriously deluded. How many times have we had this idea now? and why is Boris likely to ever get it through? does he know where the money is coming from?
Expanding Heathrow is essential, Heathrow will become even more overcrowded and dangerous if this were not to happen. I think the government understand the economic implications of doing nothing. We have to do this.
- Christian, London
Obviously Brown's fair society does not include a fair hearing. What a surprise.
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK
I thought I was being subject to torture when the new flight pathways became apparent to me.
And the noise hasn't stopped. I can't believe it falls within legal limits and the aircraft are flying so low.
People should not be treated this way.
Heathrow is embarrassing Londoners and the UK.
- Sw Resident, London, UK
Given the planning process, there is no way that a third runway will be approved, let alone started, before the next election. So whether it's built or not is down to Dave (short of some miraculous revival of Labour Party fortunes). His policy on it? Like most things, not known, but my guess is to be dead against it until the election is over, then a sudden U-turn. I didn't vote for Boris because he seemed to be with the anti-Skyscraper brigade, but he seems to have changed his mind.
- Tonyb, Twickenham
Heathrow has been where it is longer than most of it's neighbours have been alive. They chose to live near the airport and should stop whinging and accept that is where London's primary airport is or move. They should not try to push their "problem" onto other people.
- Steve, Gravesend UK
my comment yesterday seems to have got lost.a new airport would be very useful.councils all over the uk would pay to dump there.heathrow could then be made into a huge theme park to attract more people to the country.as for the secret decision, if true,. is just another example of the govt being frightened to make governing decisions.
- R Elphick, north devon
The only consolation in this sad tale of government subterfuge is that by the time they build the new runway there won't be enough planes still flying to fill even the first two runways.
- Bruce, London
So ignore the public majority and do it anyway.
Sounds about right for this government.
- Matt, Richmond
Where would Duncan suggest that 7.5 million Londoners move to? Maybe he'd be willing for his town to be extended to accomodate us. This Government has complete contempt for the public and the quicker they go the better. Is there no process for a vote of no confidence?
- Mark, London
I say NO to the extra runways at London Airport. We Londoners will have to suffer further noise polution. Also have worry when we have low flying aircraft whether it will a terrorist action. No to further expansion of that airport. Lets show the world how a 21th century airport should be build and where it should be situated?
NO TO ANY FURTHER EXPANSION OF HEATHROW (LONDON AIRPORT)!!!!!!
- A. Winsley, London. England
What else has been passed in secret> Airport expansions, allowing Sharia Law. Hmmmm time to get the untrustworthy scum out!
- Charlie, London
This inept government must be stopped at any cost and by any method.
- Vince London, West London
Oh dear you think politicians decide these things do you? The civil service town planners do. Boris was just grabbing headlines with his white elephant scheme. Placing an airport at Sheppey is as likely as finding Elvis alive!!
You Nimbys need to get real you live near an airport accept it or move.
- Duncan Bailey, Kent
This is Labour's revenge on London. Would they do they same for Glasgow or Edinburgh. I doubt it.
- K Mccarthy, Teddington, England
All this talk of a third runway boosting the economy is
utter crap. Heathrow is not run well now, making it bigger resembles painting over cracks. Lets get what we
have working before we think about expansion.
- Malcolm May, Windsor, UK
When did Labour ever listen to public opinion ,ever willing to bend over backwards for a fist full of dollars it steams ahead:in a blaze of arrogance and with a "Shut up-the State knows best" attitude. And so we get:- 3rd runway ID cards Lisbon Treaty immigration etc etc foisted on us. But'there's many a slip' between now and December
- Jeremiah, London
Exhausted Labour won't be in government for much longer anyway, so the Tories can stop the whole thing.
- Patrick, Wandsworth,London
If a decision has been made to proceed with the expansion of Heathrow it will mean that public consultation is a total waste of time. The government have admitted that the number of objections to a third runway was very high, so why ask people to take the trouble to make representation if it is ignored to enable BAA to increase their profits whilst noise and air pollution gets worse over London? Consultation was a farce.
- Simon Powell, London
Why does it cost £13billion to tarmac over a bit of grass?
- Lisa, perth scotland
Why does it cost between £7bn and £13bn to lay a bit of tarmac and connect it to an existing airport? I'm sure there are plenty of builders who are unable to build homes at present that could do the job for a lot less.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
Just wondered. When has any airport expansion proposal been turned down or rejected?
Never?
Thought not.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
