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Airport consultation delayed by coalition tension Airport expansion debate postponed for second time
(about 6 hours later)
A consultation on expanding airports in south-east England has been delayed again amid reports of tensions within the coalition over the issue. The coalition is to delay consultation over expanding airports in south-east England, amid reports of disagreements on how to go ahead.
The consultation had been due to be announced later but is now unlikely to go ahead until the autumn. Options, including extra runways at Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted and proposals to build a new airport on the Thames Estuary, are now unlikely to be dealt with until later in the year.
The Lib Dems are opposed to expansion, and the coalition agreement rules out new airports in the region. It is the second time a consultation on aviation has been postponed.
But there is speculation that Chancellor George Osborne is warming to the idea of a third Heathrow runway. Businesses say expansion is vital, but green groups argue it will be damaging.
Several Tory MPs are also openly supporting the plan, says BBC transport correspondent Richard Westcott. The consultation was meant to start in March, but was then delayed until the summer, and is now unlikely to go ahead until the autumn.
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. Transport Secretary Justine Greening - and official Conservative policy - opposes a third runway at Heathrow, as do the Liberal Democrats.
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. The coalition agreement between the two parties rules out new airports in the region.
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. 'Paralysis'
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. But there are reports Chancellor George Osborne, as well as other Conservative MPs, are warming to the idea of a third Heathrow runway - with speculation that this is the reason the consultation has been postponed again.
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. BBC transport correspondent Richard Westcott says those supporters of Heathrow expansion within the government have been accused of trying to delay everything until after the next election.
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. The Conservatives would no longer be covered by their 2010 manifesto pledge to scrap plans for Heathrow expansion.
However, another aviation paper dealing with noise, emissions and regional airports will go ahead on Thursday. Ms Greening will not include details of the consultation on south-eastern England's airports when she issues a written statement to MPs on Thursday.
However, she will announce that another aviation paper, dealing with noise, emissions and regional airports, is going ahead.
Proposals for a third runway at Heathrow, or extra runways at Gatwick or Stansted, are proving hugely controversial.
Businesses insist expansion is vital, or the UK will suffer an economic disadvantage.
Mike Carrivick, chief executive of the Board of Airline Representatives in the UK, said: "Delaying important decisions until later in the year demonstrates a lack of courage and the paralysis afflicting strategic policy-making within the government."
Adam Marshall, director of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "The government has spent years working on a strategy for UK aviation, so reports that there will be yet more delays beggar belief.
"Businesses are tired of indecision and equivocation on aviation. Ministers can't tell businesses to look for new opportunities in emerging markets like Brazil and China, and then fail to provide the basic infrastructure needed to get there."
Environmentalists have raised concerns over the impact of airport expansion on the countryside, levels of noise pollution and the effect on people's quality of life.
Friends of the Earth's head of campaigns Andrew Pendleton said: "The reality is we don't need more airport capacity in the South East. London already has more flights to the world's top business centres than any of its European competitors.
"Building more airports or runways will have a devastating impact on local communities and our environment and undermine UK efforts to tackle climate change."
Conservative Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, in south-west London, and a well known environmentalist, has said he will quit his party if it supports a third runway.
Conservative London Mayor Boris Johnson also opposes expansion at Heathrow, but has campaigned for a new airport in the Thames Estuary which has been nicknamed "Boris Island".
A £50bn project to build an airport east of London has been put forward by architect Lord Foster.
The Labour Party favoured a third runway at Heathrow when in government. The party is currently reviewing its transport policy and is yet to say whether or not it still backs expansion of the airport to the west of London.