Heathrow to get a third runway as Gatwick misses out

A third Heathrow runway has been given the go-ahead after proposals to expand an existing runway at Heathrow or build a second runway at Gatwick were rejected.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “The step that government is taking today is truly momentous. I am proud that after years of discussion and delay this government is taking decisive action to secure the UK’s place in the global aviation market – securing jobs and business opportunities for the next decade and beyond.

“This isn’t just a great deal for business, it’s a great deal for passengers who will also benefit from access to more airlines, destinations and flights. We have made clear that expansion will only be allowed to proceed on the basis of a world class package of compensation and mitigation worth up to £2.6 billion, including community support, insulation, and respite from noise – balancing the benefits and the impacts of expansion.

“We’ve thought long and hard about this. The committee considered all three options. There were three very good options on the table. But we believe a third runway for Heathrow is the best option for our future. It’s the best for the whole country to create better connectivity to the different regions of the United Kingdom and to provide the best trade links to the world.

“It would be impossible to deliver a project like this without some people disagreeing with the strategy. We’ve taken a view that where people have direct constituency concerns and interests they should have the freedom to articulate those long-held views. But this is about taking the right decision for the United Kingdom.”