Video Loading

The much awaited announcement on whether an expansion at Heathrow Airport or Gatwick Airport took place this morning, with ministers backing the expansion of the west London transport hub.

Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, made a statement at around midday after the decision was discussed in a cabinet meeting and it was officially announced that the Government backs Heathrow's expansion.

Mr Grayling said: “I am proud that after years of discussion and delay this government is taking decisive action."

Following the announcement, Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP Boris Johnson , who has long criticised a third runway, called the decision 'un-deliverable and suggested exploring the Thames Estuary Airport again, also known as Boris Island.

Sir Howard Davies, chairman of the Airport Commission, said any more delay in the decision is "simply not possible" and London must show it can prosper post-Brexit.

Getwestlondon will be bringing you the latest as we're live from Harmondsworth village near the airport, which has had a long standing reputation in opposing the runway.

Summary

That’s it from us today. This certainly won’t be the last you’ll here on the matter.

  • Share

Residents in Harmondsworth village vow to fight on

Residents of Harmondsworth village said the fight isn’t over to save their homes, as the decision to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport was announced.

Villagers gathered at The Five Bells pub and watched as the news came in, many of whom now face an uphill battle to keep the homes they have lived in for decades.

Full article here: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/heathrow-third-runway-watch-harmondsworth-12076827

  • Share

Goldsmith resigns triggering by-election

The MP for Richmond Park Zac Goldsmith has resigned from Parliament meaning a by-election will be held in his constituency.

The Conservative MP and former candidate for Mayor of London called the Government’s decision to expand Heathrow ‘catastrophic’.

Speaking in Parliament earlier today he also called the third runway ‘doomed’.

  • Share

Video shows an expanded Heathrow

This CGI video shows how an expanded Heathrow Airport could look once it is finished

  • Share

Cons according to campaigners

Anti-Heathrow expansion campaign group HACAN (Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise) has outlined their cons.

They say between 620,000 and 920,000 people will be disturbed by the noise from a new runway.

Around 783 homes would be demolished to build the new runway according, but Heathrow Airport has offered to by nearly 4,000 homes because of their proximity to the new runway.

The Airport’s Commission has also said the Government would find it ‘challenging’ to meet air pollution limits if a third runway is built.

  • Share

Government pros

According to the Department for Transport the new runway could bring economic benefits to the country of up to £61billion and create 77,000 local jobs over the next 14 years.

These are set to include 5,000 apprenticeships over the same period.

  • Share

BA owners show concern over Heathrow expansion costs

The International Airlines Group (IAG), which owns multiple airlines including British Airways, has voiced concern over the cost of Heathrow’s third runway and called for customer charges to be capped in the wake of the Government’s decision.

IAG’s chief executive Willie Walsh said: “We’re pleased that a decision has finally been made but the cost of the project will make it or break it. The Government’s directive to cap customer charges at today’s level is fundamental.

“Heathrow is the world’s most expensive hub airport so it’s critical that new capacity is affordable.

“Heathrow want it, argued for it, and now must ensure it’s the UK and the travelling public who get the benefits from the runway, not the airport’s owners.”

The IAG added that the cost of the expansion will be funded by airlines, not the public purse.

  • Share

"Vital new runway" - statement from Heathrow chief exec

The chief executive of Heathrow Airport has released a statement and called the expansion of the west London airport ‘vital’.

A CGI of an expanded Heathrow
A CGI of an expanded Heathrow (Image: Heathrow Airport )

John Holland-Kaye said: “Today the team at Heathrow start the important work to deliver the vital new runway that the UK needs to compete in the world.

“A new runway will open trade routes and create jobs up and down the UK. Heathrow will play a key role in making our country stronger and fairer for everyone.

“We look forward to working with Government, businesses, airlines, the CAA and our local communities to deliver an airport that is fair, affordable and secures the benefits of expansion for the whole of the UK.”

  • Share

CGI shows Gatwick plans

This mesmerising CGI shows how an expanded Gatwick might have look as designed by British architect Terry Farrell.

Gatwick was not backed by the Government as the preferred option for increased airport capacity in south east of England.

  • Share

Sombre faces at Harmondsworth village as homeowners re-watch announcement on TV

As villagers gather at The Five Bells in Harmondsworth village, they’re joined by getwestlondon who watches on as they take in Minister Chris Grayling’s announcement.

Cries of “Liar!” can be heard as they digest the news, before they pour out of their local and begin their chant which echoes David Cameron’s well known words - “no ifs, no buts”.

  • Share

Zac Goldsmith slams Government's decision

The MP for Richmond and former Conservative candidate for the Mayor of London has criticised the Government’s decision to expand Heathrow in Parliamen.

Mr Goldsmith said: “The Government has chosen a course that is not only wrong, it’s doomed”

He adds that a million people will suffer because of the building of a third runway.

  • Share

Shop owners whose homes are earmarked for demolition appalled by decision

Priti Patel, who has been a resident of Harmondsworth for over five years explains to getwestlondon that with only half the village making way for the third runway, her home will be demolished, but her post office and shop will remain.

“We are quite literally torn in two,” she says.

“No one knows what to expect or what to do next, we’ve been told nothing.”

  • Share

Boris Johnson's full interview

Here is the full interview with Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP Boris Johnson.

The former Mayor of London, now Foreign Secretary, has renewed calls for a Thames Estuary Airport.

  • Share

Hillingdon will go ahead with legal action

Hillingdon Council has vowed to press on with its legal action against the expansion of Heathrow Airport to include a third runway.

Four local authorities surrounding Heathrow, including Hillingdon, have threatened legal action if the airport is allowed to expand.

The partners were recently joined by environmental campaigners Greenpeace.

See the full story here:

  • Share

Hammersmith MP says decision is 'simply wrong'

The Labour MP for Hammersmith, Andy Slaughter has taken to Twitter to voice his opinions on Heathrow’s expansion, calling the decision ‘simply wrong.’

He has also criticised the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.

  • Share

Boris believes Thames Estuary Airport should be looked at again

The Foreign Secretary has told the BBC he believes the Thames Estuary Airport, dubbed Boris Island should be explored again.

Boris Johnson, who is Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP, said: “Long ago we put forward in City Hall when I was Mayor of London, alternative plans for a four runway, 24-hour hub airport that would launch this country abroad.

“Had we got going then with that project we would be at least half or two thirds of the way down the track.

“I think in the long run we will have to go back to those ideas.”

  • Share

Hayes MP and Shadow Chancellor calls decision 'devastating'

The MP for Hayes and Harlington John McDonnell has slammed the decision by the Government to expand Heathrow after campaining against it for 30 years.

The Shadow Chancellor said: “In that time Heathrow never managed to win the argument for expansion which still remains the case today.

“Building a third runway would be devastating for local residents who face losing their homes, schools, community centre and village life.

“It also remains a disaster for air pollution, noise levels and our efforts to tackle climate change.”

Mr McDonnell added: “I’ll continue to support my constituents in campaigning against this runway so that it never sees the light of day.”

  • Share

Uxbridge MP says third runway 'un-deliverable'

The MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip Boris Johnson has called the decision to expand Heathrow Airport un-deliverable and says there would be a push for a fourth runway as soon as it was finished.

The Foreign Secretary told the BBC: “I think Heathrow in the long term is not in the right place and I’m afraid a third runway is un-deliverable.

“No other country would dream of subjecting so many hundreds of thousands of people to more noise pollution.”

“What I worry about is down the line, if and when a third runway were to be built - and I don’t think it will be built - there would be an over-whelming clamour to build a fourth runway as soon as it was completed.”

  • Share

Property developer with base in Uxbridge support expansion

A Slough-based property developer, with a base in Uxbridge has said it welcomes the Government’s decision, saying it will help ‘maintain Britain as a global trader’.

SEGRO, which runs a business park in Riverside Way, believes Heathrow is the right decision.

Full statement below -


David Sleath, SEGRO’s CEO, commented: “We welcome the Government’s support for a third runway at Heathrow, which gives business confidence that the new Government is serious about infrastructure delivery and maintaining Britain’s position as a global trader. As a company, we have been clear from the outset that for Britain to succeed in the global economy, we need more capacity at a hub airport, and Heathrow is the right solution. What’s more, 84% of our customers support this decision. Air cargo accounts for 40% of Britain’s exports by value, and more goods leave Britain via Heathrow than from all other UK airports combined. Giving the go ahead for a third runway would provide a shot in the arm for the many established businesses and SMEs across the UK that rely on access to international trade markets.

“Expansion at Heathrow will allow Britain’s businesses to connect with emerging markets and create new opportunities, demonstrating that Britain really is open for business. We urge the country to come together and do what is right for the nation as a whole, which is to support the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow”.

  • Share

Parliamentary vote next year

Mr Grayling confirms MPs will vote on the decision next year

  • Share

Under-threat community watches Chris Grayling address Parliament

  • Share

Compensation package

A massive multi-billion pound compensation packages will be available from those who will be effected by the expansion, according to Mr Grayling

  • Share

Quieter planes

Mr Grayling “New plans have noise footprint 50% smaller on departure and 30% small on arrival...

“Fewer people will be effected by airport noise”

  • Share

Good neighbour

“Expansion will not be at any cost”, say Mr Grayling. Heatrow must be a better neighbour, and air quality is an issue the government takes seriously, he added.

Heathrow’s third runway must be “deliverably within air quality limits”

  • Share

Heathrow location is key

“Location of heathrow is better by road and rail”, says Mr Grayling

  • Share

Chris Grayling addresses Parliament

The Transport Secretary is explaining why the government is backing Heathrow to Parliament. He says it sends the message that “this country is open for business”

  • Share

Our reporter Amita Joshi is told the impact of a third runway will be felt far and wide

  • Share

Decision shows 'UK is open for business'

Mr Rolfe from NATS continued: “Having now made an important decision to secure the future runway capacity the country needs, we must get on with modernising airspace right across the UK to ensure we can meet the forecast growth in air traffic of 40% by 2030.

“We are delighted to see the Government’s support for airspace modernisation, which will be crucial to future efficiency. Without such airspace modernisation, over the coming years the travelling public will see a major rise in delays and flight cancellations.

“These decisions will signal to the world that the UK is open for business, which is more important now than ever.”

  • Share

More groups welcomes decision

Leading air navigation services specialist NATS says the Heathrow green light is good news. Chief executive officer Martin Rolfe said: “We welcome the Government’s clear decision on the location of a new runway and its announcement of a faster planning process to deliver it.

“We will be working closely with Heathrow Airport and all stakeholders to develop airspace designs that help maximise the benefits whilst maintaining safety and minimising noise and other environmental impacts.”

  • Share

More from Back Heathrow

Mr Gray continued: “It’s now or never. Building a new runway at Heathrow has plenty of cross-partysupport in Parliament and backing from the majority of international airlines,business groups, trade unions, exporters and communities surrounding the airport.

“This is a golden opportunity for the UK that must not be squandered.”

  • Share