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Third runway at Heathrow 'won't help rest of country'
Jack Lefley17 Feb 2009
THE Government was today criticised over its plans to expand Heathrow as new research revealed a third runway will be of little benefit to most of the country.
The Oxford University study rejected the Government's claim that the runway would be Britain's main gateway to the global economy. Researchers also concluded that the need for a Heathrow stop on the main rail network should be "at the heart" of aviation policy.
The study suggests rail access to the airport for the rest of the country is being treated as an "ancillary issue".
Professor David Banister and Dr Moshe Givoni spent nine years analysing the UK aviation industry and their findings will be part of the evidence presented to the transport select committee when it meets on 25 February to discuss the government-approved third runway.
They argue that it will be of some benefit to London but offers little to the regions. The study suggests the runway would not be likely to change substantially the number of destinations served by Heathrow.
Dr Givoni said: "A third runway at Heathrow is unlikely to meet the Government's aviation policy of securing air transport with social and economic benefits at low environmental impact. This impasse can be significantly bridged if Heathrow becomes an important stop on the main rail network."
Reader views (3)
Perhaps it's useful to see research confirming what everyone unless they are BA, BAA or have vested interests in those companies knows. Unfortunately because our government does have vested interests, they will ignore it. The only way forward is for formerly staunch Labour supporters such us myself to not vote for them at the next election. I certainly won't.
- Claire Moran, London Middx, 18/02/2009 09:26
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Wouldn't it be amusing if they built all these new runways, and terminals and shopping-centres, and opened them just as the fuel got so expensive they had to sell it in tiny bottles like Chanel Number 5? Only to be sniffed at on rare occasions. Cherished. Rolled around the glass like brandy... Only the poshest Belgravia homes would be extravagant enough to run an Aladdin Paraffin heater... That very apex of "chic". These days, the fumes of Esso Blue embues each Embassy Do, and what Duchess doesn't stink of Aladdin Pink?
But to burn it in an aero engine? What decadence, when you can vidi-conference?
- Alex Mckenna, Manchester, 17/02/2009 22:36
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We're told London needs more airport capacity, whilst stifling airport expansion in the rest of the country.
This is a circular argument.
London may need more airport capacity, but only because the rest of the country HAS to come to London to use the airports !
- Cap, London, 17/02/2009 17:43
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