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Decision on third runway delayed Decision on third runway delayed
(20 minutes later)
A decision on whether a third runway should be built at Heathrow Airport has been put back to January 2009, the Department for Transport has said.A decision on whether a third runway should be built at Heathrow Airport has been put back to January 2009, the Department for Transport has said.
A decision on the controversial plans, which are opposed by environmentalists, had been expected before Christmas. A verdict on the controversial plans, which are opposed by environmentalists, had been expected before Christmas.
Airport owner BAA says it is vital if Heathrow is to stay competitive. Airport owner BAA says the runway is vital for Heathrow to stay competitive.
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said he recognised there were "strong views" on the issue and he intended to give "proper consideration" to the issue.Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said he recognised there were "strong views" on the issue and he intended to give "proper consideration" to the issue.
Earlier this month in a debate on the issue he said ministers backed the need for extra runway capacity in south east England in principle but would only approve the project if strict air quality and noise guarantees could be met. It has been reported the cabinet is split over the third runway plan.
But he said Heathrow was already operating at full capacity and flights and jobs would be lost to airports on the continent if nothing was done. The Tories and Lib Dems oppose it and some Labour backbenchers have called for a rethink.
It had been reported the cabinet was split over the issue - the Tories and Lib Dems oppose a third runway and some Labour backbenchers have called for a rethink. Rethink demands
More than 140 MPs - including 50 Labour MPs - have signed a Commons motion urging the government to consider the alternatives to a new runway.More than 140 MPs - including 50 Labour MPs - have signed a Commons motion urging the government to consider the alternatives to a new runway.
In a statement, Mr Hoon said the government had made it clear it supports a third runway at Heathrow - subject to environmental controls. In a statement, Mr Hoon said the government had made it clear it supported a third runway at Heathrow - subject to environmental controls.
He said a consultation into the impact of a third runway had finished on 9 November and he had begun to consider the evidence, including 70,000 responses to the consultation. He said a consultation into the impact of such a project had finished on 9 November and he had begun to consider the evidence, including 70,000 responses.
"I share the desire on all sides of the House, and among the wider public for this issue to be resolved. I am equally aware of the importance of reaching the right conclusion," he said."I share the desire on all sides of the House, and among the wider public for this issue to be resolved. I am equally aware of the importance of reaching the right conclusion," he said.
"I know that there are strong views across a range of interests. I will ensure that I give proper consideration to the evidence before me and will therefore take more time before making an announcement to the House, in January 2009.""I know that there are strong views across a range of interests. I will ensure that I give proper consideration to the evidence before me and will therefore take more time before making an announcement to the House, in January 2009."
Earlier this month in a Commons debate on the issue, Mr Hoon said ministers backed the need for extra runway capacity in south east England in principle but would only approve it if strict air-quality and noise guarantees could be met.
But he added that Heathrow was already operating at full capacity and flights and jobs would be lost to airports on the continent if nothing was done.