Prime Minister Andy Burnham has refrained from offering his support for the construction of a third runway at Heathrow Airport. Speaking on Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, the Prime Minister emphasized that the project is primarily a concern for London and its residents, stating, "I think we ought to hear the voice of people there first. It's not right for me to just jump straight in on the back of the consultation."
The comments follow recent indications from Heathrow that the expansion, originally slated for completion by 2035, may not be operational until 2039. The airport stated it aims to secure planning permission by 2029, with the goal of opening the runway within the following decade. The Department for Transport acknowledged that the initial timeline was "ambitious" and noted it is continuing to engage with stakeholders.
The £33bn project remains a subject of intense debate. Proponents, including the Unite and GMB unions, argue that the expansion is vital for economic growth and job creation. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham described the project as "essential," noting its potential to secure unionized jobs and provide a market for domestic steel. If completed, the expansion could increase flight capacity from 480,000 to 720,000 annually.
Conversely, the proposal faces significant opposition from environmental groups and local residents, as well as the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. The construction would require the demolition of hundreds of homes, the diversion of rivers, and the rerouting of a portion of the M25 motorway. While Burnham previously opposed the project during his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester due to concerns regarding regional transport investment, he now maintains that the government must carefully consider the various viewpoints presented during the consultation process.
Source: BBC News
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