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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| UK ministers approve Heathrow airport expansion | UK ministers approve Heathrow airport expansion |
| (4 months later) | |
| The expansion of London's Heathrow airport has been approved by a committee of ministers. The £16 billion ($20 billion) expansion will include adding a third runway to increase airport capacity. | The expansion of London's Heathrow airport has been approved by a committee of ministers. The £16 billion ($20 billion) expansion will include adding a third runway to increase airport capacity. |
| “The step that government is taking today is truly momentous,” Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said in a statement. “A new runway at Heathrow will improve connectivity in the U.K. itself and crucially boost our connections with the rest of the world, supporting exports, trade and job opportunities.” | “The step that government is taking today is truly momentous,” Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said in a statement. “A new runway at Heathrow will improve connectivity in the U.K. itself and crucially boost our connections with the rest of the world, supporting exports, trade and job opportunities.” |
| Expansion plans for the world’s third biggest airport have been debated for decades. | Expansion plans for the world’s third biggest airport have been debated for decades. |
| The UK authorities chose between three options - a third runway at Heathrow, lengthening one of its existing two runways or a new runway at Gatwick. | The UK authorities chose between three options - a third runway at Heathrow, lengthening one of its existing two runways or a new runway at Gatwick. |
| Building a new runway at Heathrow, which is already operating at 98 percent capacity, is seen as the more ambitious and expensive option. | Building a new runway at Heathrow, which is already operating at 98 percent capacity, is seen as the more ambitious and expensive option. |
| The airport will now face legal challenges over the environmental impact on west London. | The airport will now face legal challenges over the environmental impact on west London. |
| Expansion of Britain's busiest airport was favored by airlines and businesses, as Heathrow is able to handle more freight and offers more direct connections. | Expansion of Britain's busiest airport was favored by airlines and businesses, as Heathrow is able to handle more freight and offers more direct connections. |
| However, local residents, environmental activists and communities mounted strong opposition to Heathrow’s expansion. | However, local residents, environmental activists and communities mounted strong opposition to Heathrow’s expansion. |
| Neighboring residents have been preparing a campaign against the decision. Four local councils have reportedly set aside a £200,000 ($245,000) war chest to oppose the government’s ruling through the courts. | Neighboring residents have been preparing a campaign against the decision. Four local councils have reportedly set aside a £200,000 ($245,000) war chest to oppose the government’s ruling through the courts. |
| The airport extension is strongly opposed by Education Secretary Justine Greening and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who promised to “lie down” in front of bulldozers to stop the building. | The airport extension is strongly opposed by Education Secretary Justine Greening and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who promised to “lie down” in front of bulldozers to stop the building. |
| British Prime Minister Theresa May has given ministers “exceptional and limited” freedom to oppose the government's final decision, though they are not allowed to campaign against it. | |
| The ruling will reportedly be subject to around a year of consultation before it enters the planning process. Construction is not likely to begin until 2020, according to the Airports Commission. | The ruling will reportedly be subject to around a year of consultation before it enters the planning process. Construction is not likely to begin until 2020, according to the Airports Commission. |