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Go-ahead for new Heathrow runway Go-ahead for new Heathrow runway
(31 minutes later)
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has told MPs the government has approved controversial plans to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport.Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has told MPs the government has approved controversial plans to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
The confirmation of the expansion comes despite opposition from residents, environmentalists and MPs.The confirmation of the expansion comes despite opposition from residents, environmentalists and MPs.
Leading business and union figures back the project, saying it will create jobs and boost the UK's competitiveness.Leading business and union figures back the project, saying it will create jobs and boost the UK's competitiveness.
The Tories said a third runway would be an "environmental disaster" and pledged to stop it happening if elected. The Tories called it a "bleak day for the environment" and said they would "fight it every step of the way".
And the debate was halted when local Labour MP John McDonnell shouted "disgrace" as the transport secretary said MPs would not get a vote on the decision.
After refusing requests to end his protest he was ordered out of the Commons and suspended for a week.
The government has long argued, in principle, that it is in favour of the scheme, subject to noise and air pollution limits, and undertakings about access and traffic congestion.The government has long argued, in principle, that it is in favour of the scheme, subject to noise and air pollution limits, and undertakings about access and traffic congestion.
Rail linkRail link
There has been deep unease within Labour ranks about the decision, with several cabinet members reported to be unconvinced about the project and more than 50 MPs openly opposed.There has been deep unease within Labour ranks about the decision, with several cabinet members reported to be unconvinced about the project and more than 50 MPs openly opposed.
Alongside the commitment to a new runway, Mr Hoon also announced increased investment in public transport, including the possibility of new high-speed rail links from the airport.Alongside the commitment to a new runway, Mr Hoon also announced increased investment in public transport, including the possibility of new high-speed rail links from the airport.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? MPs told of decisionPlanning process begins - this will take yearsLegal challenge likely in daysIf Tories win next election they would scrap planIf all goes according to government plan, construction would start in 2015Third runway due to finish 2019 Reactions to plansLocal views on runway planQ&A: The issues at stakeWHAT HAPPENS NEXT? MPs told of decisionPlanning process begins - this will take yearsLegal challenge likely in daysIf Tories win next election they would scrap planIf all goes according to government plan, construction would start in 2015Third runway due to finish 2019 Reactions to plansLocal views on runway planQ&A: The issues at stake
In an effort to appease its critics he also outlined a series of measures to limit noise and emissions, with airlines using the new runway required to use the newest, least polluting aircraft.In an effort to appease its critics he also outlined a series of measures to limit noise and emissions, with airlines using the new runway required to use the newest, least polluting aircraft.
At a press conference in Berlin ahead of the Commons statement, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "It is always our desire to make sure we protect the economic future of the country while, at the same time, meeting the very tough environmental conditions we have set ourselves for both noise pollution and climate change and I think you will see that reflected in the statement." He told MPs the government was satisfied environmental targets could be met, as it would put an initial cap on additional flights from the new runway of 125,000, would ensure new slots were "green slots" used by only the "cleanest planes" and would set a new target on aircraft emissions - that they would be lower in 2050 than in 2005.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson also defended the government's commitment to environmental concerns adding: "It's a classic dilemma - we want to forge ahead in implementing our climate change ambitions when others are not but we don't want to lose our economic competitiveness in the process. We want to do both these things." "Taken together this gives us the toughest climate change regime for aviation of any country in the world," he told MPs.
'Half a runway' Heathrow 'hub'
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said it was understood that the growth in flights would be decided not by the airlines or owner BAA but in effect by the Climate Change Committee, under Lord Turner. He also announced he would set up a company to look into creating a high speed rail line between London and Scotland - adding there was a "strong case" for a new high speed rail hub at Heathrow.
Strict emissions targets would be set and if breached, no new slots would be given to the airlines, he said, meaning a new runway would be unlikely to operate at full capacity. He also said he had decided against ending "mixed mode" use of runways - where planes land at one airport until 3pm then the other for the rest of the day to give residents a break from noise. As part of these changes the Cranford agreement, which limits planes taking off to the east of the airport, would end.
Alistair McGowan: 'We're prepared to fight (them) all the way'Alistair McGowan: 'We're prepared to fight (them) all the way'
"Heathrow is the only hub airport, it's our most important international gateway, it connects us with the growth markets of the future - essential for every great trading nation," he told MPs.
Doing nothing would only give an advantage to its competitors, he said, adding: "The government is taking the right decisions for the long term."
At a press conference in Berlin ahead of the Commons statement, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he wanted to "protect the economic future of the country while, at the same time, meeting the very tough environmental conditions we have set ourselves".
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson also defended the government's commitment to environmental concerns adding: "It's a classic dilemma - we want to forge ahead in implementing our climate change ambitions when others are not but we don't want to lose our economic competitiveness in the process. We want to do both these things."
Challenges planned
Virgin Atlantic's Paul Charles told BBC Radio 5 Live that if there was no third runway "Britain's economy will suffer. Investors will walk out, they won't invest here, jobs won't be created and people will go to Europe instead".Virgin Atlantic's Paul Charles told BBC Radio 5 Live that if there was no third runway "Britain's economy will suffer. Investors will walk out, they won't invest here, jobs won't be created and people will go to Europe instead".
But backbench Labour MP John McDonnell, whose constituency includes the airport, said the fight against the expansion was only just beginning and opponents would "use every mechanism possible" including legal challenges, to stop the runway going ahead. Mr McDonnell speaking ahead of the announcement and his suspension from the Commons, said opponents would "use every mechanism possible" including legal challenges, to stop the runway going ahead.
Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers told BBC Radio 4's Today that approval of the scheme would show Gordon Brown was "deaf to the concerns of his own party and millions of people living under the flight path". Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers told BBC Radio 4's Today any government environmental promises would be shown "to not be worth the paper they are written on" and warned anyone getting involved in the process that her party would cancel the project if they win the next general election.
Planning process It is at risk and if it continues to decline, then the consequences for west London and the Thames Valley will be very, very serious indeed Lord SoleyFuture Heathrow class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7825484.stm">Battle lines drawn over expansion class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7828694.stm">Heathrow for and against
She said any government environmental promises would be shown "to not be worth the paper they are written on" and warned anyone getting involved in the process that her party would cancel the project if they win the next general election. In the Commons she said: "This is a bleak day for our environment and for all those of us who care about safeguarding it."
The Liberal Democrats also oppose the third runway and have urged ministers to invest in high-speed rail links instead.The Liberal Democrats also oppose the third runway and have urged ministers to invest in high-speed rail links instead.
Their spokeswoman, Susan Kramer, told the BBC the arguments in favour of expansion were "glib" and south west London would become a "pretty miserable" place to live.Their spokeswoman, Susan Kramer, told the BBC the arguments in favour of expansion were "glib" and south west London would become a "pretty miserable" place to live.
"There's this conventional wisdom amongst business that you must grow the airport ... it just isn't held up by the reality. Actually Heathrow has been serving fewer destinations over the last ten years.""There's this conventional wisdom amongst business that you must grow the airport ... it just isn't held up by the reality. Actually Heathrow has been serving fewer destinations over the last ten years."
It is at risk and if it continues to decline, then the consequences for west London and the Thames Valley will be very, very serious indeed Lord SoleyFuture Heathrow Battle lines drawn over expansionHeathrow for and against
The statement to MPs - it is not subject to a vote in the Commons - marks the start of the planning process which would be a lengthy process, even without the opposition and legal challenges expected in this case.The statement to MPs - it is not subject to a vote in the Commons - marks the start of the planning process which would be a lengthy process, even without the opposition and legal challenges expected in this case.
Work on a new runway is unlikely to start until 2015 and it is not expected to be operational for at least a decade.Work on a new runway is unlikely to start until 2015 and it is not expected to be operational for at least a decade.
Protests have been growing in anticipation of a decision, which was due to be made in December but was delayed amid reports of divisions within government over the issue.Protests have been growing in anticipation of a decision, which was due to be made in December but was delayed amid reports of divisions within government over the issue.
About 700 homes will have to be demolished to make way for the runway, which will increase the number of flights using Heathrow from about 480,000 a year now to 702,000 by 2030.About 700 homes will have to be demolished to make way for the runway, which will increase the number of flights using Heathrow from about 480,000 a year now to 702,000 by 2030.
'At risk''At risk'
Campaigners have bought some land earmarked for the construction of the runway in an effort to frustrate the expansion plans.Campaigners have bought some land earmarked for the construction of the runway in an effort to frustrate the expansion plans.
Environmental campaigners say proceeding with the new runway will leave the government's legal commitment to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 in tatters.Environmental campaigners say proceeding with the new runway will leave the government's legal commitment to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 in tatters.
"Expanding Heathrow would shatter the government's international reputation on climate change," said Andy Atkins, executive director of Friends of the Earth."Expanding Heathrow would shatter the government's international reputation on climate change," said Andy Atkins, executive director of Friends of the Earth.
HAVE YOUR SAY I presume it's being built due to the increased demand of flying. I would like to see the air industry make real efforts to develop eco-friendly fuel and clean propulsions systems, though. RMG, UKSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I presume it's being built due to the increased demand of flying. I would like to see the air industry make real efforts to develop eco-friendly fuel and clean propulsions systems, though. RMG, UKSend us your comments
"We need bold and urgent action to create a low-carbon economy, not more backing for the climate-wrecking activities of the aviation industry.""We need bold and urgent action to create a low-carbon economy, not more backing for the climate-wrecking activities of the aviation industry."
But the government believes the new runway will not violate its EU commitments on air and noise pollution, pointing out that new aircraft being built will reduce emissions significantly.
Supporters of the runway say Heathrow is already operating at full capacity and the UK economy will lose business to the rest of Europe if it does not go ahead.Supporters of the runway say Heathrow is already operating at full capacity and the UK economy will lose business to the rest of Europe if it does not go ahead.
They point out that rival airports such as Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam already have at least four runways and that Heathrow is at risk of falling further behind.They point out that rival airports such as Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam already have at least four runways and that Heathrow is at risk of falling further behind.
Former Labour MP Lord Soley is the campaign director of Future Heathrow, which represents groups in favour of expanding the airport.Former Labour MP Lord Soley is the campaign director of Future Heathrow, which represents groups in favour of expanding the airport.
He told BBC News that Heathrow brought jobs and "prosperity" to surrounding areas adding: "It is at risk and if it continues to decline, then the consequences for west London and the Thames Valley will be very, very serious indeed."He told BBC News that Heathrow brought jobs and "prosperity" to surrounding areas adding: "It is at risk and if it continues to decline, then the consequences for west London and the Thames Valley will be very, very serious indeed."
British Airways, the largest airline at Heathrow, has said expanding the airport is the only "credible option".British Airways, the largest airline at Heathrow, has said expanding the airport is the only "credible option".
Richard Lambert, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, said: "This approach to expanding Heathrow's capacity makes real sense. It will create the integrated transport system necessary for an economy that needs to grow in an environmentally sustainable fashion.
"This is not an easy decision. But this announcement balances the needs of the economy with those of the environment, and provides the right framework for the country's long-term needs."