Heathrow airport’s polluting new runway is a macho folly | Simon Jenkins
This go-ahead is the worst decision taken by a UK government in modern times
The building of a third runway at Heathrow must be the worst decision taken by a British government in modern times. There is nothing in it but private profit for a Spanish company that appears to have the British cabinet in thrall. That a rich European city should expand rather than contract a major airport in a built-up area defies belief.
For half a century successive governments have refused to contemplate such expansion, and put forward usable alternatives. In 2009, David Cameron swore to oppose a third runway, “no ifs, no buts”. He was explicitly supported by none other than Theresa May, Philip Hammond and Boris Johnson. What was at the time BAA plc – now Heathrow Airport Holdings – had accepted what seemed the inevitable, and was planning to shift much of its business to Stansted. It was stopped and ordered to sell Stansted by Gordon Brown. The third runway was Heathrow’s revenge. It has more lives than a cat.
Related: Heathrow’s third runway gets go-ahead from Chris Grayling
Has Heathrow’s third runway been approved?
The cabinet has endorsed a revised national policy statement on aviation, whose key point is to enable Heathrow expansion with a third runway. A wider vote will now take place within 21 sitting days in parliament, or by 10 July.
Source: Guardian Transport
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