Heathrow expansion decision is welcomed
BUSINESS lobbyists for Leicestershire have welcomed the announcement that Heathrow is the Government’s preferred option for airport expansion.
Of the three options on the table – Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted – Heathrow was the one most favoured by the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce, feeling it had the potential to best serve the region.
The Davies Commission suggested in July 2015 that expansion at Heathrow was preferable because of the economic benefits for the whole country, including £147 billion in economic growth over the next 60 years and the creation of 70,000 new jobs by 2050.
Scott Knowles, chief executive at East Midlands Chamber, said: “The issue of UK aviation capacity has, for far too long, been treated like a political football and these continuing delays are both frustrating and extremely disappointing.
“Many business leaders and airline operators believe that the absence of a coherent aviation strategy is holding the UK back. Continued delays only put the country at a further competitive disadvantage, which is something we should avoid at all costs as we negotiate our way out of the EU.”
The decision is still subject to public consultation and Parliamentary debate next year and it is likely to be several years before work starts.
Scott added: “In the interim we would urge the Government to maximise utilisation of capacity at regional airports, including East Midlands Airport – the UK’s largest airport for pure freight movement - and for road and rail links from our region to Heathrow are improved in time for businesses to benefit from the expansion.”