Research raises fears amongst residents
Research by pressure group HACAN ClearSkies shows that a 3rd runway at Heathrow would be full by 2015. The research raises fears amongst residents that a full-length runway will eventually be built rather than the short runway currently under consideration.
The Government’s consultation document into options for runway expansion expects Heathrow to be able to cater for 116 million passengers per year in 2015, using a total of 655,000 flights. The consultation documents predicts the numbers will be exactly the same in 2030 (1).
John Stewart, the Chair of HACAN ClearSkies, said, “The Government’s position is not credible. It stretches belief that it does not expect any increase in passengers over the 15 years between 2015 and 2030. Either it has badly miscalculated or it knows it will need a full-scale runway before 2030.”
Earlier this year the Government consulted on proposals for a new short runway at Heathrow that would take the smaller planes. The Government will announce its decision on whether to give the go-ahead for this runway when it publishes its Aviation White Paper, expected in mid-December.
Notes for Editors
- The figures are contained on page 51 of SERAS, the consultation document that laid out options for airport expansion in London and the South East. Other options included new runways at Gatwick and Stansed and a new airport at Cliffe on the North Kent Coast.
For more information contact John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957 385650.