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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 there were "strong views" which needed "proper consideration". But the Tories accused ministers of "dithering".Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said there were "strong views" which needed "proper consideration". But the Tories accused ministers of "dithering".
Rethink demandsRethink 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 Conservatives and Liberal Democrats oppose it and some Labour backbenchers have called for a rethink.The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats 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 AirwaysWe 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 capacityFull capacity
For the Conservatives, shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers accused the government of "dithering on the future of Heathrow", adding: "Opposition to a third runway is gathering momentum every day.For the Conservatives, shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers accused the government of "dithering on the future of Heathrow", adding: "Opposition to a third runway is gathering momentum every day.
"I suspect this postponement is an indication that Gordon Brown is finally starting to realise that he is on the wrong side of the debate on Heathrow."I suspect this postponement is an indication that Gordon Brown is finally starting to realise that he is on the wrong side of the debate on Heathrow.
"We need to make Heathrow better not bigger and the best way to do that is to provide a high-speed rail alternative to thousands of short-haul flights now contributing to the overcrowding problems at the airport.""We need to make Heathrow better not bigger and the best way to do that is to provide a high-speed rail alternative to thousands of short-haul flights now contributing to the overcrowding problems at the airport."
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said: "Let's hope this is a belated sign that the government is finally paying attention to the massed ranks of the public and the Commons benches and considering abandoning the third runway at Heathrow.
"The government must listen. However, if this delay is just to wait for the aviation industry to re-write its proposals in a way that suits it, then this is no cause to celebrate."
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.
'Complexity''Complexity'
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.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.""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."
A spokesman for British Airways, which runs more flights at Heathrow than any other airline, said: "We had hoped for a decision before Christmas.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."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.""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.