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Hoon allows runway opposition
Pippa Crerar30 Oct 2008
NEW Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has given the Cabinet a green light to oppose the environmental impact of a third runway at Heathrow.
He said senior ministerial colleagues "should be free to reach different judgments" over the damage caused by airport expansion. Ministers were said to be secretly fuelling a Commons rebellion against expansion with at least five Cabinet ministers, including Environment Secretary Hilary Benn and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband, thought to have concerns.
Mr Hoon is expected to use a Commons debate, possibly at the start of next month, to make a strong case for expansion. Ministers are set to announce the decision on whether to give a third runway the go-ahead within six weeks. However, Mr Hoon told the Commons transport committee he expected all ministers to recognise the economic importance of the runway and back the White Paper. He added: "The issue that I have to resolve is whether that economic position is strong enough to outweigh whatever environmental disadvantages are suffered by the immediate community to Heathrow.
"Nobody as I understand it is opposing the Government's White Paper but obviously they should be free to reach different judgments as to the consequences of that."
By this morning, at least 95 MPs from all the main parties were backing a Commons motion, tabled by Labour MP John Grogan, urging the Government to consider a high-speed rail network instead of a third runway.
Proposals for a high-speed rail link will be published by Easter.
Reader views (2)
The only 'evidence' I have seen brought forward to justify expansion of Heathrow is based on 1. An assumption that business will pack up and flee the UK (or more accurately the South East) and 2. Data on noise and carbon dioxide emissions based on information provided by BAA and the airlines. There was a so called consultation that was sent out to a minority of directly impacted residents by this proposed expansion that didn't actually include the question do your support Heathrow expansion, yes or no? The Government has even ignored advice from its own Dept of Environment. When Brown annouces this expansion, which he will, the champagne corks wil pop in the executive office of BA, Virgin, American Airlines, BAA, etc, etc. I also have no doubt that there will be future positions on the board of these and other associated companies for 'retiring' members of the current government. The 700 homes and the community of Sipson will be obliterated off the planet and the airlines lobbying for a 4th runway at Heathrow will begin in earnest Planes,it would seem,are more important than peoples homes, welfare or well being
- Bob, London, UK, 03/11/2008 09:10
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Read this against the other story here of railways being slashed by £2.5billion. The hypocrisy of Hoon and Brown and company is breathtaking!!!!!
- Phil Jones, London UK, 30/10/2008 14:02
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