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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Decision on third runway delayed | Decision on third runway delayed |
| (10 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 verdict 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 the runway is vital for Heathrow 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. |
| Rethink demands | |
| It has been reported the cabinet is split over the third runway plan. | It has been reported the cabinet is split over the third runway plan. |
| The Tories and Lib Dems oppose it and some Labour backbenchers have called for a rethink. | The Tories and Lib Dems oppose it and some Labour backbenchers have called for a rethink. |
| 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 supported 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. |
| We had hoped for a decision before Christmas. However, having waited six years to reach this point, we can afford to wait a little bit longer British Airways | |
| 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. | 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." |
| Full capacity | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| BAA says Heathrow, which is Europe's busiest airport, needs an extra runway by 2020 to cope with increased demand. | BAA says Heathrow, which is Europe's busiest airport, needs an extra runway by 2020 to cope with increased demand. |
| A spokesman said: "Given the complexity of the issues involved, we understand why the government is taking further time to consider these matters. | |
| "We welcome the fact that the government has now committed to making a decision in January on how we keep Heathrow and this country globally competitive by maintaining our direct access to the world." | |
| 'Logical outcome' | |
| A spokesman for British Airways, which runs more flights at Heathrow than any other airline, said: "We had hoped for a decision before Christmas. | |
| "However, having waited six years to reach this point, we can afford to wait a little bit longer. | |
| "We understand that the government has to give careful consideration to the third runway but we believe that the only logical outcome will be for its construction." | |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said a final decision will be taken after "full consideration" of the environmental implications. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said a final decision will be taken after "full consideration" of the environmental implications. |