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Tories would scrap Heathrow plan Tories would scrap Heathrow plan
(40 minutes later)
The Tories say they would scrap plans for a third runway at Heathrow and build a high-speed rail line instead.The Tories say they would scrap plans for a third runway at Heathrow and build a high-speed rail line instead.
They are proposing to create a new line linking London St Pancras, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds - saying it would cut Heathrow flights by 66,000 a year.They are proposing to create a new line linking London St Pancras, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds - saying it would cut Heathrow flights by 66,000 a year.
Transport spokeswoman Theresa Villiers said it had been a hard decision but the party would "not run" from it.Transport spokeswoman Theresa Villiers said it had been a hard decision but the party would "not run" from it.
The party says it would cost £1.3bn a year for 12 years. Airport operator BAA said it was offering a "false choice".The party says it would cost £1.3bn a year for 12 years. Airport operator BAA said it was offering a "false choice".
Ms Villiers, the shadow transport secretary, told the party's conference in Birmingham: "This is one of the hardest decisions we have faced as a party and we will not run away from it.Ms Villiers, the shadow transport secretary, told the party's conference in Birmingham: "This is one of the hardest decisions we have faced as a party and we will not run away from it.
"That's why I can announce this morning that a Conservative government would say no to a third runway at Heathrow.""That's why I can announce this morning that a Conservative government would say no to a third runway at Heathrow."
Rail alternativeRail alternative
She said rail could offer a viable alternative to short-haul flights and mean about 66,000 fewer flights a year, 30% of the planned capacity of the third runway, eventually rising to 44% with a more extensive high speed rail network in the UK.She said rail could offer a viable alternative to short-haul flights and mean about 66,000 fewer flights a year, 30% of the planned capacity of the third runway, eventually rising to 44% with a more extensive high speed rail network in the UK.
The proposed 180mph rail link would run between St Pancras in London - the terminus for Eurostar - and Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. Heathrow would also be linked in. The proposed 180mph rail link would run between St Pancras in London - the terminus for Eurostar - and Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. Heathrow, the UK's largest airport, would also be linked in.
It would be a new railway with a new track freeing up the West Coast Mainline for more commuter journeys. Construction would start in 2015, to finish in 2027, should the Conservatives win the next general election.It would be a new railway with a new track freeing up the West Coast Mainline for more commuter journeys. Construction would start in 2015, to finish in 2027, should the Conservatives win the next general election.
And it will lay the foundations for a high speed network that I believe will one day stretch across the country Theresa VilliersShadow transport secretaryAnd it will lay the foundations for a high speed network that I believe will one day stretch across the country Theresa VilliersShadow transport secretary
The party says journeys would be reduced from 125 minutes to 80 minutes from London to Manchester, and from 55 minutes to 17 minutes between Manchester and Leeds.The party says journeys would be reduced from 125 minutes to 80 minutes from London to Manchester, and from 55 minutes to 17 minutes between Manchester and Leeds.
A Conservative government would spend £15.6bn over 12 years on the project, which they say could be met from within current levels of government capital spend on rail. The private sector would contribute a further £4.4bn.A Conservative government would spend £15.6bn over 12 years on the project, which they say could be met from within current levels of government capital spend on rail. The private sector would contribute a further £4.4bn.
They would open a competition to build the new rail link and say they will be consulting further with industry and the civil service in the next few months, to ensure the necessary preparations are made before the end of this Parliament.They would open a competition to build the new rail link and say they will be consulting further with industry and the civil service in the next few months, to ensure the necessary preparations are made before the end of this Parliament.
'Viable alternative''Viable alternative'
In her speech Ms Villiers said despite difficult economic times: "This country can no longer put off the decisions necessary to deliver the transport improvements we desperately need ... decisions that Labour have shown themselves so manifestly incapable of taking". She said evidence from Europe showed high speed rail was a "viable and attractive" alternative to short haul flights and said it would reduce road congestion, generate economic benefits and improve transport links between north and south England, without the "considerable" environmental penalties of a third runway. In her speech Ms Villiers said despite difficult economic times: "This country can no longer put off the decisions necessary to deliver the transport improvements we desperately need ... decisions that Labour have shown themselves so manifestly incapable of taking".
She said high speed rail was a "viable and attractive" alternative to short haul flights and would reduce road congestion, generate economic benefits and improve transport links without the "considerable" environmental penalties of a third runway.
"It will leave a lasting legacy for the future. And it will lay the foundations for a high speed network that I believe will one day stretch across the country," she added."It will leave a lasting legacy for the future. And it will lay the foundations for a high speed network that I believe will one day stretch across the country," she added.
The true test of their commitment will come when, like the Liberal Democrats, this position is written into their manifesto John SauvenGreenpeaceThe true test of their commitment will come when, like the Liberal Democrats, this position is written into their manifesto John SauvenGreenpeace
Earlier she said, a few years ago it would have been "inconceivable" for a Conservative leader to "put the brakes" on Heathrow expansion, which is supported by business leaders and airport operator BAA.Earlier she said, a few years ago it would have been "inconceivable" for a Conservative leader to "put the brakes" on Heathrow expansion, which is supported by business leaders and airport operator BAA.
Following Ms Villiers' announcement BAA said Britain needed both a third runway and a high speed rail line. BAA says Heathrow is "jam packed" and needs another runway to compete with other major European airports. A spokesman said Britain needed both a third runway and a high speed rail line.
A spokesman added: "To prioritise one over the other is a false choice and will put Britain's future competitiveness at risk. It is not clear how this proposal will resolve the lack of airport capacity, a problem which must urgently be addressed." "To prioritise one over the other is a false choice and will put Britain's future competitiveness at risk. It is not clear how this proposal will resolve the lack of airport capacity, a problem which must urgently be addressed," he said.
Island airportIsland airport
He said flights to Manchester and Leeds Bradford airport made up less than 3% of Heathrow's total flights.He said flights to Manchester and Leeds Bradford airport made up less than 3% of Heathrow's total flights.
Heathrow, the UK's largest airport, handles more than 500,000 flights a year. BAA says it is "jam packed" and needs a new runway to compete with other major European airports.
Last week at the Labour conference, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said London needed a "hub" airport to support the British economy.Last week at the Labour conference, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said London needed a "hub" airport to support the British economy.
London's Conservative mayor Boris Johnson has suggested an airport on an artificial island in the Thames estuary could be used to ease overcrowding instead. Ms Kelly dismissed that idea as "irresponsible".London's Conservative mayor Boris Johnson has suggested an airport on an artificial island in the Thames estuary could be used to ease overcrowding instead. Ms Kelly dismissed that idea as "irresponsible".
A government decision on whether to go ahead with a third runway is expected later this year.A government decision on whether to go ahead with a third runway is expected later this year.
The Liberal Democrats also oppose it and have pledged a 15-year rail network improvement programme - including high-speed links between London, Heathrow airport, Birmingham and Manchester. Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said: "It seems the Tories have finally recognised the need for high-speed rail and the scrapping of the third runway at Heathrow, which Liberal Democrats have long called for.
"However, we will have to wait and see the small print before we know if this is just another of David Cameron's empty promises."
Greenpeace welcomed the Conservative announcement and said it would put "real pressure" on the government.Greenpeace welcomed the Conservative announcement and said it would put "real pressure" on the government.
But executive director John Sauven added: "The true test of their commitment will come when, like the Liberal Democrats, this position is written into their manifesto."But executive director John Sauven added: "The true test of their commitment will come when, like the Liberal Democrats, this position is written into their manifesto."