An influential Commons committee at the House of Commons has given heavyweight backing to controversial proposals for a third runway at London Heathrow.
The all-party transport committee accepted action was needed to cut back pollution around the United Kingdom’s biggest airport. The committee noted that a balance had to be struck over concerns about carbon emissions and global warming to allow the aviation industry to prosper.
MPs concluded in a report published today that the government was right to support a third runway and sixth terminal at London Heathrow. But they warned that business support for the development could be wrong in assuming the extra capacity would mean regional flights to Heathrow would be restored. These were axed in recent years as slots came under pressure from more lucrative transatlantic flights.
But the committee also concluded that “even with a third runway at Heathrow, it is unlikely that the airport will become a hub airport for many UK cities.”
It urged instead better direct access to Heathrow via the national rail network.
MPs rejected green arguments against Heathrow expansion on the ground that preventing it would not curb carbon emissions because flights would simply go elsewhere.
Source: Press & Journal
