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Tories would scrap Heathrow plans Tories would scrap Heathrow plan
(30 minutes later)
The Conservatives have said they will scrap plans for a third runway at Heathrow airport and build a £20bn high-speed rail line instead. The Tories say they would scrap plans for a third runway at Heathrow and build a high-speed rail line instead.
Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers told the party conference the aim was to cut 66,000 flights a year by encouraging people to use the train. They are proposing to create a new line linking London St Pancras, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds - saying it would cut Heathrow flights by 66,000 a year.
The proposed 180mph rail link would run between St Pancras in London and Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. Transport spokeswoman Theresa Villiers said it had been a hard decision but the party would "not run" from it.
Ms Villiers said the decision was based on environmental concerns. The party says it would cost £1.3bn a year for 12 years. Taxpayers would fund 75% and the private sector 25%.
The Conservatives hope the line would increase use of the Eurostar, based at St Pancras, to the continent, and free up the West Coast Mainline for more commuter journeys. Ms Villiers, the shadow transport secretary, told the party's conference in Birmingham: "This is one of the hardest decisions we have faced as a party and we will not run away from it.
Decision expected "That's why I can announce this morning that a Conservative government would say no to a third runway at Heathrow."
Ms Villiers said: "This is a seriously green decision. Rail alternative
"A few years ago it would have been inconceivable for the leader of the Conservative party to say 'no' to a third runway and putting the brakes on Heathrow expansion." She said rail could offer a viable alternative to short-haul flights and mean 66,000 fewer flights a year, about 44% of the planned capacity of the third runway.
On the second day of the party conference in Birmingham, Ms Villiers is set to announce a Tory government would spend £15.6bn over 12 years on the project. The private sector would contribute a further £4.4bn. The proposed 180mph rail link would run between St Pancras in London - the terminus for Eurostar - and Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. It would be a new railway with a new track freeing up the West Coast Mainline for more commuter journeys.
Journey times would be cut from 125 minutes to 80 minutes from London to Manchester, and from 55 minutes to 17 minutes between Manchester and Leeds. Ms Villiers told the conference: "A high-speed link from St Pancras to Heathrow, connecting to the north, could we believe replace up to 66,500 flights now coming into Heathrow.
The true test of their commitment will come when, like the Liberal Democrats, this position is written into their manifesto John SauvenGreenpeaceThe true test of their commitment will come when, like the Liberal Democrats, this position is written into their manifesto John SauvenGreenpeace
"That would free up almost a third of the capacity that would be provided if a third runway were to be built.
"A national high speed network could provide around 44% of that capacity, with the potential to rise much further as the European network improves and expands. And it could deliver this without the environmental penalties of a third runway."
Earlier she said, a few years ago it would have been "inconceivable" for a Conservative leader to "put the brakes" on Heathrow expansion, which is supported by business leaders and airport operator BAA.
On the second day of the party conference in Birmingham, Ms Villiers announced a Tory government would spend £15.6bn over 12 years on the project. The private sector would contribute a further £4.4bn.
Journey times would be cut from 125 minutes to 80 minutes from London to Manchester, and from 55 minutes to 17 minutes between Manchester and Leeds.
The Conservatives have also proposed a high-speed link between St Pancras and Heathrow.The Conservatives have also proposed a high-speed link between St Pancras and Heathrow.
Environmental campaigners have strongly opposed the expansion of Heathrow, but business leaders have backed development plans.Environmental campaigners have strongly opposed the expansion of Heathrow, but business leaders have backed development plans.
Heathrow, the UK's largest airport, handles more than 500,000 flights a year. Its owner BAA says it is "jam packed" and needs a new runway to compete with other major European airports.Heathrow, the UK's largest airport, handles more than 500,000 flights a year. Its owner BAA says it is "jam packed" and needs a new runway to compete with other major European airports.
Last week at the Labour conference, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said London needed a "hub" airport to support the British economy.Last week at the Labour conference, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said London needed a "hub" airport to support the British economy.
London's Conservative mayor Boris Johnson has suggested an airport on an artificial island in the Thames estuary could be used to ease overcrowding instead. Ms Kelly dismissed that idea as "irresponsible".London's Conservative mayor Boris Johnson has suggested an airport on an artificial island in the Thames estuary could be used to ease overcrowding instead. Ms Kelly dismissed that idea as "irresponsible".
A government decision on whether to go ahead with a third runway is expected later this year.A government decision on whether to go ahead with a third runway is expected later this year.
The Liberal Democrats also oppose it and have pledged a 15-year rail network improvement programme - including high-speed links between London, Heathrow airport, Birmingham and Manchester.The Liberal Democrats also oppose it and have pledged a 15-year rail network improvement programme - including high-speed links between London, Heathrow airport, Birmingham and Manchester.
Greenpeace welcomed the Conservative announcement and said it would put "real pressure" on the government.Greenpeace welcomed the Conservative announcement and said it would put "real pressure" on the government.
But executive director John Sauven added: "The true test of their commitment will come when, like the Liberal Democrats, this position is written into their manifesto."But executive director John Sauven added: "The true test of their commitment will come when, like the Liberal Democrats, this position is written into their manifesto."