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Heathrow third runway: Select committee urges action | Heathrow third runway: Select committee urges action |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The government must stop putting off the "difficult" decision to expand Heathrow Airport rather than Gatwick, a Commons select committee has said. | The government must stop putting off the "difficult" decision to expand Heathrow Airport rather than Gatwick, a Commons select committee has said. |
The arguments over increasing aviation capacity in South East England have "changed little in a quarter of a century", said the Transport Committee. | The arguments over increasing aviation capacity in South East England have "changed little in a quarter of a century", said the Transport Committee. |
It urged ministers to end "years of political dithering" and to set out a clear timetable. | It urged ministers to end "years of political dithering" and to set out a clear timetable. |
The government said it was important to get the decision right. | The government said it was important to get the decision right. |
More on this story and other news from London | |
In December the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed that the Airport Commission's shortlisted options - new runways at Heathrow or Gatwick, or extension of an existing runway at Heathrow - were "viable". | In December the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed that the Airport Commission's shortlisted options - new runways at Heathrow or Gatwick, or extension of an existing runway at Heathrow - were "viable". |
It also announced further work on noise, pollution and compensation would be carried out before it made a decision on which project to support. It expects this will be completed by the summer. | It also announced further work on noise, pollution and compensation would be carried out before it made a decision on which project to support. It expects this will be completed by the summer. |
But the Transport Select Committee said government indecision had created "uncertainty" that would ultimately lead to "lost growth and jobs". | But the Transport Select Committee said government indecision had created "uncertainty" that would ultimately lead to "lost growth and jobs". |
Labour MP Louise Ellman, chairwoman of the committee, said: "The government must make up its mind. The decision on location is not the end of the process, it is the start of one. | Labour MP Louise Ellman, chairwoman of the committee, said: "The government must make up its mind. The decision on location is not the end of the process, it is the start of one. |
"Real progress cannot begin until the location is declared. Work on environmental issues can run in parallel with other pre-construction work." | "Real progress cannot begin until the location is declared. Work on environmental issues can run in parallel with other pre-construction work." |
She said more than 50 new runways were being planned around the world and "the months ticking by constitute time wasted for the UK's economic prosperity". | She said more than 50 new runways were being planned around the world and "the months ticking by constitute time wasted for the UK's economic prosperity". |
A DfT spokesman said: "The case for aviation expansion is clear, but it's vitally important we get the decision right so that it will benefit generations to come." | A DfT spokesman said: "The case for aviation expansion is clear, but it's vitally important we get the decision right so that it will benefit generations to come." |