News

The government has launched a public consultation on the prospect of expansion at Heathrow airport and indicated that growth at the hub is essential if it is to operate effectively in the future.

Plans for enlargement of the base include a third runway, served by a sixth terminal with access to the road and rail network.

These developments would enable Heathrow to handle around 700,000 flights a year.

Transport secretary Ruth Kelly acknowledged that 'strong feelings' will be stirred up by plans for expansion and encouraged people to make their views known.

Ms Kelly said that any decision on expansion will be compatible with standards on noise and air quality but warned that a lack of action at Heathrow could have serious consequences.

'Heathrow supports 170,000 jobs, billions of pounds of British exports and is our main gateway to the global economy. But for too long it has operated at nearly full capacity, with relatively minor problems causing severe delays to passengers,' she said.

'If nothing changes, Heathrow's status as a world-class airport will be gradually eroded - jobs will be lost and the economy will suffer.'

The closing date for responses to the consultation is 27 February 2008.

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