Harefield Gazette

‘Bold decision needed over Heathrow bid’

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JUST one west London council has signed a letter calling on the government to make a ‘bold decision’ and expand Heathrow Airport to include a third runway.

The letter addressed to the transport minister Patrick McLoughlin has been signed by more than 30 councils from across the country, including the leader of Harrow Council Sachin Ramesh Shah.

It comes as Hillingdon Council has vowed to oppose the airport’s expansion after a Labour assembly member was photograph­ed at a ‘ pro-Heathrow third runway’ event.

Speaking before Theresa May’s appointmen­t as prime minister this week, Heathrow’s CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “Council leaders from across the country recognise expansion at Heathrow will benefit their local economy by creating skilled jobs and connecting exporters to growing markets overseas.

“Their support is further evidence that the next prime minister has the opportunit­y to make the right choice in the whole of Britain’s interest by expanding Heathrow.”

A recent poll of MPs showed that two-thirds were in favour of expanding the west London airport.

Heathrow expansion has also been backed by the MPs for Ealing North, Stephen Pound, and Ealing and Southall, Virendra Sharma.

A decision on airport expansion has been delayed until October.

The letter says: “In uncertain economic times, it is undeniable that investment in Britain’s infrastruc­ture is even more important to support growth across the country.

“We are an island nation and so it is our airports that connect many of our exporters and their goods to growing markets overseas and are the first impression for tourists, students and investors coming to Britain.”

It goes on to say that the country’s airports contribute £50 billion a year to national growth and supports a million jobs.

The letter ends: “This was their blueprint and it is now time to make a bold decision and put it into action. It’s time to make the right choice and expand Heathrow.”

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 ??  ?? n EXPANSION PLAN: A decision on Heathrow’s expansion is expected in October; a letter has been sent to transport minister Patrick McLoughlin (left)
n EXPANSION PLAN: A decision on Heathrow’s expansion is expected in October; a letter has been sent to transport minister Patrick McLoughlin (left)

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