‘Expansion can bring enormous benefit to Wales’
THE expansion of Heathrow Airport should go ahead as it will bring enormous benefit to the Welsh economy, a Labour MP has said.
Expressing his disappointment at the Court of Appeal’s ruling against the airport’s third runway plans, Caerphilly MP Wayne David said he hopes the Government is able to “get its act together” and push forward with the expansion.
The former shadow Wales minister told MPs it is estimated that Heathrow’s enhanced capacity will bring 8,400 jobs to the country.
“We’ve heard already about the proposal to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport and the decision of the Court of Appeal to rule against the plans on the basis that the expansion transgresses environment legislation.
“Now be that as it may, it doesn’t alter the fact that the Heathrow expansion, if correctly done with appropriate legislation, can bring enormous benefit to the British economy and the economy of South Wales especially.
“And I really hope that the Government is able to get its act together and come forward with appropriate legislation which protects the environment so that the expansion can go ahead and bring its economic benefits to the country and to Wales,” Mr David said.
“In Wales the Independent Airports Commission has concluded an expanded Heathrow will mean an extra 8,400 jobs in Wales, and up to £8m more in economic growth for Wales.
“Wales is an economy which is largely based on exports. Sixty per cent of its exports go to the European Union and through an expanded and enhanced western rail link to Heathrow there will be a tremendous economic benefit to Wales with Heathrow expansion.
“It’ll bring more business to Wales, more destinations for Welsh tourists and crucially more opportunity for Welsh businesses to get to those all important new markets.
“That is why the Government is firmly in support of a new runway and I desperately hope that the Government manages to get its act together.”