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Plans for extra runway close to take-off as public signals support Plans for extra runway at Gatwick or Heathrow close to take-off as public signals support
(about 6 hours later)
The public supports airport expansion in the South-east by a factor of three to one, as fears over a political backlash were today quelled by a new poll.The public supports airport expansion in the South-east by a factor of three to one, as fears over a political backlash were today quelled by a new poll.
Writing exclusively for The Independent today, Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of the advertising giant WPP, says the Populus poll shows that "the public increasingly gets" that delaying expansion at Heathrow and Gatwick threatens "jobs, growth, trade and investment".Writing exclusively for The Independent today, Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of the advertising giant WPP, says the Populus poll shows that "the public increasingly gets" that delaying expansion at Heathrow and Gatwick threatens "jobs, growth, trade and investment".
The Airports Commission, led by incoming Royal Bank of Scotland chairman Sir Howard Davies, issues its final recommendation this summer on whether Heathrow should be expanded or a second runway should be built at Gatwick.The Airports Commission, led by incoming Royal Bank of Scotland chairman Sir Howard Davies, issues its final recommendation this summer on whether Heathrow should be expanded or a second runway should be built at Gatwick.
Politicians of all parties have been frustrated by how long the commission, set up in 2012, has taken to reach its conclusion. They want the Government to endorse the preferred option shortly after the report is published – but ministers fear that construction work and more aircraft noise could cost them votes in either west London or Sussex.Politicians of all parties have been frustrated by how long the commission, set up in 2012, has taken to reach its conclusion. They want the Government to endorse the preferred option shortly after the report is published – but ministers fear that construction work and more aircraft noise could cost them votes in either west London or Sussex.
The poll, commissioned by the Let Britain Fly pressure group, indicated that 45 per cent were in favour of new runways being built, to only 16 per cent against, with the remainder undecided. Similarly, 45 per cent want quick ministerial endorsement of Sir Howard’s findings, while 13 per cent thought that the Government should take its time.The poll, commissioned by the Let Britain Fly pressure group, indicated that 45 per cent were in favour of new runways being built, to only 16 per cent against, with the remainder undecided. Similarly, 45 per cent want quick ministerial endorsement of Sir Howard’s findings, while 13 per cent thought that the Government should take its time.
The findings suggest that the Government would not be as politically damaged by approving expansion as had been thought. For example, more than half of Londoners were found to back expansion, even though many of the campaign groups  against building new runways have focused their efforts in areas of the capital that suffer from being underneath flight paths. Research by the Airport Environmental Federation this month warned fares would have to rise – to pay for green initiatives – or regional airports close to meet the UK’s carbon commitment. It added its critical voice to the thousands of local residents near both airports campaigning against their expansion.The findings suggest that the Government would not be as politically damaged by approving expansion as had been thought. For example, more than half of Londoners were found to back expansion, even though many of the campaign groups  against building new runways have focused their efforts in areas of the capital that suffer from being underneath flight paths. Research by the Airport Environmental Federation this month warned fares would have to rise – to pay for green initiatives – or regional airports close to meet the UK’s carbon commitment. It added its critical voice to the thousands of local residents near both airports campaigning against their expansion.
Another issue has been the eye-watering expense of expansion, which could be close to £19bn at Heathrow and £9.3bn for a runway at Gatwick. But Sir Martin said most of the costs would be met by private investment.Another issue has been the eye-watering expense of expansion, which could be close to £19bn at Heathrow and £9.3bn for a runway at Gatwick. But Sir Martin said most of the costs would be met by private investment.
Sir Martin also warned that the UK was falling behind the likes of China and Turkey in airport development, with the former set to have 17 new runways by 2036.Sir Martin also warned that the UK was falling behind the likes of China and Turkey in airport development, with the former set to have 17 new runways by 2036.
Heathrow was overtaken by Dubai as the world’s busiest airport for international travel in January.Heathrow was overtaken by Dubai as the world’s busiest airport for international travel in January.
After the election one of the first infrastructure issues facing ministers is the building of a new runway.  
For almost three years Sir Howard Davies’s  Airports Commission has crunched the numbers, already concluding that the South-east needs at least one additional runway. After extensive debate the commission will shortly make a final recommendation based on the evidence: either an expanded Gatwick or Heathrow.  
Our busiest airport, Heathrow, has been full for a decade, and Gatwick, our second busiest airport, will be full by 2020. It’s time political leaders committed to bold and swift action.
With our trade deficit widening to a four-year high, airport expansion is a critical part of securing Britain’s economic future. By value, 40 per cent of our exports go by air, and trade volumes are up to 20 times higher with countries with a direct air link to the UK.
Gatwick expansion could deliver up to £127bn in economic benefit, Heathrow up to £214bn. Each option could deliver increased employment across a range of sectors: construction, airports, airlines, retail, tourism and freight, to name but a few.
There is no reason to delay for the sake of sparing the public purse; most of the costs for airport expansion would be paid for by private, not public investment. So while airport expansion will indeed cost billions, what we’re talking about is private investors pumping a great deal of money into the British economy.
Obstacles to airport expansion are obstacles to securing future jobs, growth, trade and investment. The public increasingly gets it. A recent Populus poll commissioned by Let Britain Fly has found that Britons supporting new runways outnumber those against expansion by a factor of three to one.
Britain’s competitors definitely get it. Our European neighbours invested in their airport infrastructure years ago: Amsterdam has six runways, while Frankfurt and Paris each have four. The result? Paris now has 50 per cent more flights to China.
By 2036 China will build 17 new runways, Istanbul will build a new six-runway hub, and the new Dubai World Central airport will have more passenger capacity than all of London’s airports combined.
Meanwhile, London airports – and British businesses – remain in a state of uncertainty. So I hope the new government will move swiftly and make the decision to build that one, much-needed, new runway.
Sir Martin Sorrell is WPP CEO and let Britain Fly backer