Member Article

North East backs Heathrow third runway proposals

North East businesses joined Newcastle International Airport bosses in welcoming the latest proposals for a third runway at Heathrow.

Heathrow submitted three different proposals, worth between £14-18bn, ahead of Airports Commission’s deadline for expansion plans this week.

Newcastle International Airport’s planning and corporate affairs director, Graeme Mason, said the North East needs to get behind the proposals as Heathrow’s hub status is vital to the regional economy.

Mr Mason said: “Heathrow is our single biggest service and these plans are crucial to the North East economy. A third runway would protect Newcastle’s access to Heathrow and ensure that we retain those vital hub slots.

“Further down the line we want to work with Heathrow to make sure this is guaranteed. This could mean a charging mechanism to protect the price of landing fees and make sure we aren’t priced out.”

He said Newcastle International were pleased with the plans and added: “They’ve done a great job in putting forward a strong case for a third runway at Heathrow that stand out above the alternative options such as Thames Estuary idea.

“They’re strong because the proposals can be expanded upon in the long term - and this element of ‘future proofing’ is essential.”

The Whitehall-appointed Airports Commission will draw up a shortlist of the viable proposals by the end of the year, although the developments would not begin until after the next general election in 2015.

NECC Policy Team Leader, Mark Stephenson, added: “It is time decision makers treat Heathrow for what it is, a national asset that generates wealth and assures jobs across the whole country including the North East.

“International markets are vital for our economy and with around £4bn of our exports leaving via air freight, almost all of which goes through Heathrow, you begin to see how valuable it is for our exporting businesses.

“Expansion at Heathrow isn’t a perfect solution but neither are the mooted alternatives which all impact on people and the environment. In Heathrow expansion we have a project sitting on the shelf, privately funded and with the possibility of it being completed relatively soon. The political parties serious about achieving balanced growth across all regions must get behind it.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .