Labour leader backs calls for Brum second runway

LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn has backed calls for a second runway at Birmingham Airport.

Candidates in the battle to become West Midlands mayor have clashed over whether Birmingham Airport in Solihull should have a second runway.

Labour candidate Sion Simon says it should, while Conservative candidate Andy Street says there is no need for one.

And Mr Corbyn, who is to visit the West Midlands to campaign for Mr Simon next week, has backed his candidate.

Speaking to the Birmingham Post, he said: “What Sion’s doing is right. Birmingham Airport is uniquely well connected to transport, better than any other airport, I think.

“It’s got mainline rail within seconds of the airport terminal. And, of course, a huge motorway network around it. And I think Sion is making a good point there.

“Improving airport facilities in the Midlands and the North helps to increase usage of those airports and therefore reduces pressure on airports in the south-east. And I will be speaking to Sion about it when I meet him next week.”

Labour accuses Mr Street of failing to back the West Midlands by arguing there is no need for a second runway at Birmingham Airport.

But Mr Street argues that the airport can handle twice as many passengers even without a new runway. In an earlier statement, Mr Street said: “Whilst I will always continue to support the expansion of Birmingham Airport, there is absolutely no case for a second runway at this time. The current runway isn’t even at 50 per cent capacity.”