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Business leaders speak out against Heathrow runway
Peter Dominiczak5 May 2009
Some of the country's leading businessmen are protesting against plans for a third runway at Heathrow.
Chief executives of some of Britain's biggest firms are writing an open letter to the Government, saying London's five airports make the extra runway unnecessary.
The group is led by Ian Cheshire, chief executive of Kingfisher, and Russell Chambers of Credit Suisse, who was once dubbed Tony Blair's "favourite banker".
Other heavyweight signatories include Sainsbury's boss Justin King, Charles Dunstone of Carphone Warehouse and leading private equity figure Jon Moulton of Alchemy Partners.
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon provoked a backlash from climate campaigners and residents near Heathrow when he agreed to plans for the 7,200ft third runway in January. The Government claimed the benefits to the economy and the City outweighed the environmental impact of the runway.
But in the letter the executives say there is no guarantee the runway would not ensure the airport serves more destinations. They also express concerns over environmental damage.
Mr Cheshire has claimed many business leaders are reluctant to speak out because they work with companies that supply services to the airport or aviation sectors.
He said: "The debate has been based on the assumption that anyone who is in business must be in favour. What became clear is that people privately felt it [opposition] and weren't sure how to kick it off."
British Airways said: "A hundred leading companies have already publicly stated their support."
Reader views (10)
New airport on an island is the only long-trm solution - copy hong kong and get on with it. For once I agree with Boris.
- Dave, Madrid, 06/05/2009 12:35
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Such problems would not arise if Britain were to follow the example of the Hong Kong and China Government as they the Chinese run their Government on much better business like and well ordered manner, unlike their UK counterparts.
There they the Chinese have built an Internationally famous Airport off of Hong Kong's coast line on rubbish waste from main land China.
If China can be successful in building such a project
that has increased thier land mass which in turn has protected their coastline and allowed them to build and sell Mufti Million Pound Flats and Condos with marinas so should Britain.
We have a waste disposal problem so we are all told, so why not combine the two and Turn Junk into Billion Pound land Space?
Destroying good arable farming land for such projects thus making the UK become more and more reliant on foreign imported foods is an extremely bad policy.
Labours continuous disregard for our countryside is very concerning as this is also waste of our valuable resources.
Signed
Carl Barron
Chairman of agpcuk
Action Group for the Protection of Communities UK
- Carl Barron, Christchurch, Dorset, 05/05/2009 16:59
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Russell Chambers of Credit Suisse?????
Credit Suisse which owns 50% of GIP? GIP own London City Airport whose expansion masterplan is equal to the third runway.Only it will be over East London.
GIP/Credit Suisse are also one of the bidders for Gatwick.Part of the Gatwick bid is the introduction of a NEW runway. Looks like Mr Chambers opposes Heathrows Runway so his bosses can have their new runway at Gatwick!
- Darren, Newham, 05/05/2009 16:47
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Cramming a third runway into overcrowded airspace and ground facilities will NOT reduce delays.
All about pols that don't want their 'power' diminished by new airports built out of their districts.
- Trunk, US, 05/05/2009 16:45
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Paula don't you mean Northolt, not 'Northwood'? Your general comment about runway capacity is correct-it's all about profit for developers tho-15 years ago a perfectly good 6000' runway at Hatfield was torn up and built over. But the developers, and probably certain Government ministers indirectly, see a nice fat profit in the Heathrow area and go hang the environmentalists and a village in the way-appalling.
- Jon Kent, Hertford. UK, 05/05/2009 15:11
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Common Sense, put extra capacity outside London where it will help the rest of the country's economy.
- Cap, London, 05/05/2009 14:43
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There was a wartime slogan: 'Is your journey really necessary?' We need to be asking that question again, for all sorts of reasons.
- Mdj E10, london uk, 05/05/2009 13:24
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We should make better use of Gatwick. Everytime I use that airport, it seems quite empty. I know it isn't at full capacity because there isn't a plane landing every 30 seconds like Heathrow and there are always lots of free aircraft stands. It is a decent airport, nice terminals, a bit far from central London but with good rail links. They should just divide more of the traffic between Heathrow and Gatwick rather than focus just about all long haul and alot of short haul traffic on Heathrow like they do now. Hopefully selling Gatwick will mean the new owner will be keen to attract traffic away from Heathrow.
- Krystian, London, UK, 05/05/2009 13:10
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Common sense tell you London needs another run . just look at the aircraft stacking . You can see them stacked miles out at intervals.What happens if there is an accident? What about planes burning all that extra fuel while they wait? Use tugs to pull planes in instead of burning huge volumes of fuel going to and from the terminal
- Peter, Camberley UK, 05/05/2009 11:01
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There is a huge amount of spare runway capacity near to Heathrow at Northwood airfield. If we really must have a larger airport (and there are serious doubts surrounding this issue) then use existing facilities instead of demolishing an entire village for no good reason.
- Paula Hickman, London, 05/05/2009 10:48
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