THE UK’s busiest airport has moved one step closer to opening their third runway under the Government’s mega £29billion expansion plans.
The major new upgrade is set to be operational in the next 10 years.
The Transport secretary Heidi Alexander has launched a process to fast-track the new third runway at Heathrow.
Heidi introduced the promised review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) in parliament today in order to accelerate their plans.
She explained that since 2018, new environmental and climate obligations mean an updated ANPS is necessary to permit a decision to be taken on expansion planning applications.
The new 3,500 metre runway will be in the northwest of the airport, and will eventually welcome up to 276,000 new flights a year.
This takes the annual flights from 480,000 to 756,000, with as many as 30 new flight routes a day.
The government’s ambition is to see flights take off from a new runway by 2035.
The government will seek formal advice from the Climate Change Committee on any relevant amendments proposed to the ANPS to ensure consistency with their net zero commitments.
The announcement came after Heidi approved the expansion of both Gatwick and Luton airports near London this year.
Heidi said: “When we say this government is one that backs the builders, not blockers we mean it.
“Today is a critical building block which will advance plans for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow, meaning people can start to experience the full benefits sooner.
“As our only hub airport, Heathrow is critical to the UK’s economy, connecting millions of people every year and exporting British businesses across the globe.
“Enabling Heathrow expansion will drive economic growth and create jobs across the country, delivering on our Plan for Change.”
The government explained that expansion at Heathrow must be financed entirely by the private sector and bring no cost to taxpayers.
It must also meet rigorous and effective cost controls to deliver the significant infrastructure project as quickly as possible.
New runways backed for two UK airports
Rachel Reeves has supported plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport and also backed the full-time use of a second runway at Gatwick Airport.
Plans to introduce an additional runway at Heathrow Airport have been debated for decades.
Back in June 2018, the UK Parliament voted in favour of introducing a third runway at the airport.
The Court of Appeal ruled the government’s approval unlawful in 2020 because it did not meet the country’s commitments to climate change under the Paris Agreement.
Later that year, the Supreme Court overturned the ruling, allowing the project to continue.
Reeves’ support is part of a wider plan to boost the country’s economic growth by increasing airport capacity in the southeast of England.
The Chancellor is also set to support the full-time use of a second runway at Gatwick Airport.
At present, Gatwick uses its second runway to taxi aircraft and in emergency situations.
Plans to bring the second runway into full-time use were submitted in 2023, with transport secretary Heidi Alexander due to make a decision on the plans.
This new step will take the plans even closer to completion.
Financing will come from promoters who submit formal expansion schemes and will include covering any related costs to improvements to transport to and from the airport.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “After decades of false starts, we are backing the builders to get Heathrow’s third runway built.
“Creating thousands of jobs, boosting growth across the UK, and making Britain the world’s best connected place to do business.
“This government is getting Britain building to kickstart growth and deliver an economy that works for, and rewards, working people.”
Given the importance of Heathrow to trade and the economy, the government will also assess whether expansion at the airport should be designated as critical national priority infrastructure, meaning that it must meet enhanced security and resilience requirements.