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Go-ahead for new Heathrow runway Go-ahead for new Heathrow runway
(20 minutes later)
The go-ahead has been given for a third runway at Heathrow, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has told MPs.The go-ahead has been given for a third runway at Heathrow, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has told MPs.
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.
Mr Hoon outlined a series of measures to limit noise and emissions but said doing nothing to expand capacity at Heathrow would "damage our economy".Mr Hoon outlined a series of measures to limit noise and emissions but said doing nothing to expand capacity at Heathrow would "damage our economy".
The debate was halted and local MP John McDonnell thrown out after he grabbed the mace and shouted "disgrace".The debate was halted and local MP John McDonnell thrown out after he grabbed the mace and shouted "disgrace".
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 critics he said airlines using the new runway would be required to use the newest, least-polluting aircraft.In an effort to appease critics he said airlines using the new runway would be required to use the newest, least-polluting aircraft.
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.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.
"Taken together this gives us the toughest climate change regime for aviation of any country in the world," he told MPs."Taken together this gives us the toughest climate change regime for aviation of any country in the world," he told MPs.
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.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.
Heathrow 'hub'Heathrow 'hub'
And he said hard shoulders could be used to ease traffic on the the most congested parts of the M1, M25, M6, M62, M3 and M4, as well as motorways around Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol.And he said hard shoulders could be used to ease traffic on the the most congested parts of the M1, M25, M6, M62, M3 and M4, as well as motorways around Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol.
But he ruled out 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.But he ruled out 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.
However he said the Cranford agreement, which limits planes taking off to the east of the airport, would end, which he said would benefit Windsor and others to the west of the airport and Hatton and North Feltham to the east.However he said the Cranford agreement, which limits planes taking off to the east of the airport, would end, which he said would benefit Windsor and others to the west of the airport and Hatton and North Feltham to the east.
READ THE DOCUMENT Adding capacity at Heathrow: Decision following consultation [754kb] Most computers will open this document automatically but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereREAD THE DOCUMENT Adding capacity at Heathrow: Decision following consultation [754kb] Most computers will open this document automatically but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
"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."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."Doing nothing would only give an advantage to its competitors, he said, adding: "The government is taking the right decisions for the long term."
The debate was halted when John McDonnell, whose constituency borders Sipson - where hundreds of homes will be bulldozed to make way for a third runway and sixth terminal - shouted "disgrace" as the transport secretary said MPs would not get a vote on the decision.The debate was halted when John McDonnell, whose constituency borders Sipson - where hundreds of homes will be bulldozed to make way for a third runway and sixth terminal - shouted "disgrace" as the transport secretary said MPs would not get a vote on the decision.
Labour uneaseLabour unease
After marching from the backbenches to the despatch box he picked up the mace and placed it on an MPs' bench - he refused requests to end his protest and was ordered out of the Commons and suspended for a week.After marching from the backbenches to the despatch box he picked up the mace and placed it on an MPs' bench - he refused requests to end his protest and 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 pollution limits and access concerns.The government has long argued, in principle, that it is in favour of the scheme, subject to pollution limits and access concerns.
But there has been deep unease within Labour ranks about the decision, with several cabinet members reported to be unconvinced and more than 50 MPs openly opposed.But there has been deep unease within Labour ranks about the decision, with several cabinet members reported to be unconvinced and more than 50 MPs openly opposed.
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".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".
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".
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 againstIt 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
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 said her party would cancel the project if they win the next general election.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 said 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."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."
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 one, even without the opposition and legal challenges expected.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 one, even without the opposition and legal challenges expected.
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.
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.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told the BBC the plans represented "constrained expansion" with strict rules on air quality and noise.Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told the BBC the plans represented "constrained expansion" with strict rules on air quality and noise.
But Greenpeace director John Sauven said: "If Gordon Brown thinks this is a green runway then he must be colour-blind. This package is designed to patch up a cabinet split and will do very little to reduce the huge environmental impact of an expanded Heathrow, which will now become the single biggest emitter of carbon-dioxide in the country."But Greenpeace director John Sauven said: "If Gordon Brown thinks this is a green runway then he must be colour-blind. This package is designed to patch up a cabinet split and will do very little to reduce the huge environmental impact of an expanded Heathrow, which will now become the single biggest emitter of carbon-dioxide in the country."
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
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 said Heathrow brought jobs and "prosperity" to west London and the Thames Valley that was "at risk".
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". Virgin Atlantic's Paul Charles told BBC Radio 5 Live that if there was no third runway "jobs won't be created and people will go to Europe instead".
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."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."