Third Heathrow runway to land boost for Scots flights and jobs
Green light for development sparks protest as supporters hail decision
A SUBSTANTIAL increase in the number of flights to and from Scotland is on the cards after hugely controversial plans to build a third runwayat Heathrow were given the go-ahead.
As residents of a neighbouring village who face having their homes flattened to accommodate the expansion accused the government of “betrayal”, Scottish Secretary David Mundell said that “slots for Scotland” were a crucial part of the project.
Mr Mundell said Government figures showed the number of flights between Scotland and Heathrow have fallen by almost a quarter over the last 10 years.
The move aims to return flight numbers to “at least” what they were a decade ago, he added.
The long-delayed decision raises the prospect of a new direct flight to Prestwick, as well as increased services to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness airports.
Slots for routes deemed less commercial could also be “ringfenced”, and given state aid to make them viable, if necessary.
Ministers predicted that the new runway could also lead to increased competition and a fall in the price of flights from Scottish airports, as well as opening up new routes and destinations.
Mr Mundell, who was part of the cabinet committee which unanimously backed the Heathrow option over its rival Gatwick, said: “This is one matter on which the UK and Scottish Governments are in complete agreement, both recognising the importance of this decision and that the Heathrow option works best for Scotland.”
Scottish Economy Secretary Keith Brown said that the decision would bring “significant benefits” to Scotland.
The Scottish Government estimates that the project could create around 16,000 Scottish jobs.
Across the UK the move is estimated to be worth £61 billion and create up to 77,000 jobs over the next 14 years.
Business leaders, including from the CBI and Institute of Directors, welcomed the decision and called for the runway to be built as soon as possible.
But local people in Harmondsworth in Hillingdon expressed anger as they faced the prospect of losing half their village to the new runway.
They staged a protest out the Five Bells pub and vowed to fight the decision all the way in the courts.
Neil Keveren, whose home would look on to the new runway’s boundary fence, said they had been “betrayed” after former prime minister David Cameron’s pledge six years ago there would not be no third runway at Heathrow.
Mr Keveren said: “We received a promise. We all made life choices based on that, which we believed. Some people decided to lay their loved ones to rest here because of it. I invested in my home. I thought we were safe and we had a reasonable expectation that we were. I feel we have been betrayed by Theresa May.”
Stuart Patrick, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said: “We have long championed the expansion of Heathrow as the UK’s hub airport, and are convinced it is the best decision for Glasgow, for Scotland and for the UK as a whole.”
‘‘ I thought we were safe and had a reasonable expectation we were. We have been betrayed by Theresa May