16 December 2003
Heathrow and Stansted could get a new runway following today’s publication of the Government’s policy for UK airports over the next 30 years.
The White Paper - The Future of Air Transport - sets out the framework for the future development of air transport and follows a public consultation which generated half a million responses. The policies do not authorise any particular development but set a guide for decisions on future planning applications.
Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said air travel is essential to the UK’s economy. The aviation industry supports around 800,000 jobs and demand for air travel is forecast to grow.
"We need to plan ahead so we can continue to benefit from the economic and social advantages of air travel, but at the same time deal with the impacts of increasing air transport for the environment."
The White Paper’s key conclusions include:
- Provision should be made for two new runways in the south east by 2030 - one at Stansted and another at Heathrow
- Developing a new airport at Cliffe in Kent is not supported
- Support for more capacity at airports in areas including Bristol, Newcastle, Belfast, Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh
The Government also believes more needs to be done to reduce the impacts of air transport and airport development. At the global level, the government will play a major role in pressing for new solutions and stronger action by international bodies. The White Paper sets out proposals to bring aviation within the European Union emissions trading scheme to help limit greenhouse gas emissions.
The Government’s objectives are to limit and, where possible, reduce noise impacts over time, to ensure air quality and other environmental standards are met, and to minimise other local environmental impacts. Where noise impacts cannot practically be limited, the White Paper sets out new measures which it expects airport operators to take to help those affected.
Ensuring easy and reliable access to airports which minimises congestion and other local impacts is a key factor in considering any proposal for new airport capacity. Airport operators will be expected to develop appropriate access plans, and to contribute to the costs of the additional infrastructure or services needed.
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