Heathrow runway ‘starts in 2020’

WORK on a third runway at Heathrow could begin within three years, the Transport Secretary said yesterday.

Chris Grayling predicted that if Parliament backs the expansion, the project will start around December 2020 – when the Brexit transition period ends.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that this relies on planning consent being given by the time the UK formally leaves the EU in March 2019. However, MPs said yesterday that the runway should not be approved without tougher measures to protect communities and passengers.

The Commons’ transport committee said more safeguards on air quality, noise, regional connectivity and airport charges were needed before it gets the go-ahead.

A final statement setting out the requirements of the scheme will be published and voted on in the Commons by the summer.