LONDON — The U.K. government has expressed its support for the development of a third runway at London’s Heathrow Airport, according to Treasury chief Rachel Reeves, who made this announcement during a speech intended to convey the new Labour government’s commitment to revitalizing the economy.
Reeves emphasized that adding another runway at the country’s primary airport will enhance the long-term economic prospects by promoting investment, increasing exports, and improving the U.K.’s connectivity with global markets.
“The time to make a decision is now,” she stated firmly. “The justification for this expansion has never been stronger.”
The government plans to open up the floor for proposals regarding the construction by summer, followed by a thorough evaluation of the potential advantages and disadvantages of this expansion.
“This approach will guarantee that the project provides good value for money, and we expect that any associated transportation costs will be covered privately,” she added.
Historically, campaigners have opposed the installation of a third runway due to environmental concerns, and Rachel Reeves’ announcement is expected to ignite strong opposition from activist groups including Greenpeace and Just Stop Oil, as well as dissent from members within the Labour Party itself, notably from London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Khan reiterated his opposition to the runway, citing its “severe consequences” on noise levels, air pollution, and the fulfillment of climate change initiatives.
He mentioned he will assess the new proposals critically, particularly their impacts on local residents and the broader effects on the transportation network.
“Despite advancements in aviation toward sustainability, I remain unconvinced that increasing the number of flights at Heathrow by hundreds of thousands each year won’t have detrimental effects on our environment,” Khan asserted.
In her address, Reeves assured that the runway will be constructed while adhering to legal, environmental, and climate regulations.
The concept of a third runway at Heathrow has been debated since 1946, following World War II, but has stalled due to numerous factors such as governmental shifts and ongoing legal disputes. Meanwhile, other major European airports have expanded; for example, Paris’ Charles de Gaulle features four runways, while Amsterdam’s Schiphol boasts six.
Heathrow’s expansion proposal received approval from Parliament in June 2018, but has faced delays due to legal battles and the COVID-19 pandemic. Heathrow’s Chief Executive, Thomas Woldbye, has stated he would halt the project unless the government affirms its intentions for expansion.
Woldbye regarded Reeves’ remarks as “the bold, responsible vision the U.K. requires to flourish in the 21st century.”
Reeves’ endorsement for the new runway was part of a broader discussion focused on stimulating growth rates, which have remained low for years due to various factors since the 2008 global financial downturn.
She also highlighted plans for nine new water reservoirs, announced commitments to creating a technology hub akin to Silicon Valley between Oxford and Cambridge, and promoted the regeneration of the Manchester United area’s Old Trafford stadium, along with an economic “reset” in the U.K.’s post-Brexit relations with the European Union.
The Labour government is in dire need of economic growth to enhance living standards after the disruptions caused by the pandemic and the resultant cost-of-living challenges. Achieving this growth is essential for reinvigorating underfunded public services.
Since their appointment in July, Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer have faced scrutiny for their commentary on the economy inherited from the previous Conservative government, in conjunction with tax increases on businesses, measures that critics argue triggered a downturn in growth and adversely affected the government’s standing in opinion polls.
While the construction of a third runway is not expected to yield immediate economic benefits, as it may take up to a decade to complete, Reeves hopes that this announcement will signal to investors that the government is earnest about revitalizing economic activity.
“We aim to take immediate action to improve economic performance and instill confidence in businesses and investors that this is an environment conducive to innovation and production,” she stated.
However, the project will necessitate the demolition of over 700 homes and relocation of portions of London’s M25 motorway into a tunnel.
The business community has consistently supported the addition of a third runway at Heathrow, which is currently nearing its capacity limits, often leading to aircraft circling the city while awaiting permission to land.
