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Airport consultation delayed by coalition tension Airport consultation delayed by coalition tension
(about 10 hours later)
A consultation on expanding airports in the south-east of England could be delayed again - mainly because of tension within the coalition. A consultation on expanding airports in south-east England has been delayed again amid reports of tensions within the coalition over the issue.
The consultation had been pencilled in for Thursday, but may not now go ahead, the BBC understands. The consultation had been due to be announced later but is now unlikely to go ahead until the autumn.
The Lib Dems are opposed to expansion, and the coalition agreement rules out new airports in the region.The Lib Dems are opposed to expansion, and the coalition agreement rules out new airports in the region.
But there is speculation that Chancellor George Osborne is warming to the idea of a third Heathrow runway.But there is speculation that Chancellor George Osborne is warming to the idea of a third Heathrow runway.
Several Tory MPs are also openly supporting the plan, says BBC transport correspondent Richard Westcott.Several Tory MPs are also openly supporting the plan, says BBC transport correspondent Richard Westcott.
They have been accused of trying to delay everything until after the next election, when they might well be free of any coalition tensions. They have been accused of trying to delay everything until after the next election, when they believe they could be in power as a single party.
This could mean yet another delay for a consultation that was meant to start in March, then delayed until the summer, and may now have to wait until the autumn. It is another delay for a consultation that was meant to start in March, then delayed until the summer, and is now likely to wait until the autumn.
It was dealing with some of the thorniest issues in aviation, including whether to build a third runway at Heathrow airport in west London, or perhaps build extra runways at Stansted or Gatwick.It was dealing with some of the thorniest issues in aviation, including whether to build a third runway at Heathrow airport in west London, or perhaps build extra runways at Stansted or Gatwick.
Another aviation paper dealing with noise, emissions and regional airports is more likely to happen. Some concerns have been expressed about the environmental impact of a third runway at Heathrow and the potential for it to damage people's quality of life.
Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith, a well known environmentalist, said he would not stand as a candidate for the party at the next election if it supported a third runway.
London Mayor Boris Johnson also opposes a third runway at Heathrow, but has campaigned for a controversial new airport in the Thames Estuary which has been dubbed "Boris Island" by some.
However, another aviation paper dealing with noise, emissions and regional airports will go ahead on Thursday.