REDDITCH MP Karen Lumley, MP has expressed the need to get on with building a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
Speaking shortly after Government Ministers gave the green light to the controversial plans to expand UK airport capacity, she said: “Personally I backed the expansion of Gatwick, but now the preference has finally been made public, I would press on the Government to deliver as soon as possible.
“It is vital that the UK is seen to be open for business and building the infrastructure we need to compete, so I am pleased the Government has at last made its decision.”
Ministers approved the long-awaited decision at a cabinet committee meeting on Tuesday (October 25) and both unions and business groups have welcomed the decision, which is seen as a vital infrastructure project to help keep Britain moving and competitive in the 21st Century.
Heathrow Airport is to the south west of London but still inside the M25 ring, although a tunnel will have to be built to take the motorway to allow for the new third runway.
Gatwick is further to the south, outside the M25 and down the M23 towards Brighton.
Mrs Lumley has also been a vocal advocate for Birmingham Airport during her years as an MP, and is still anxious to push the virtues of it as an amazing airport with capacity to spare.
“Birmingham can now take larger planes to emerging markets and we should not lose sight of the fact that we have a great opportunity, right here on our doorstep.
“I will be looking forward to meeting management soon to discuss how they can take advantage of all the opportunities open to them.”
A public consultation will now be held on the effects of airport expansion before the Government makes a final decision as part of a national policy statement on aviation. MPs will then vote on that decision, and that will likely be in the winter of 2017-18. Construction is not expected to begin until 2020 or 2021, with the new runway capacity operational by 2025.
19th Apr, 2024
