Heathrow Runway Decision By End Of Year - PM

The Prime Minister has said he will decide by the end of the year whether or not to expand Heathrow.

The Airports Commission has named the airport as the preferred site for a new runway after a three-year investigation.

In its report, the Commission said a third runway at Heathrow would ensure the UK's "long-term prosperity" while resulting in the loss of fewer homes.

After its choice was revealed, David Cameron told PMQs: "It is important now that there is a very detailed report that we study it.

"A decision will be made by the end of the year."

The Commission's proposal is expected to be backed - but only if it meets stringent conditions on air quality, noise pollution and carbon emissions.

Shadow Transport Secretary Michael Dugher told the Commons the Government must make a decision soon.

"The public and businesses across the UK have been clear that they do not want any further dither or delay," he said.

"Can he (the Transport Secretary) reassure the House that no matter how tempted the Government might be, he will not kick this into the long grass?

"The short-term interests of the Conservative Party must not take priority over what is in the best long-term interests of the country."

He added: "This is the biggest decision for UK PLC this decade."

Other options considered by the Commission were extending an existing runway at Heathrow or building a second runway at Gatwick. Both airports are operating near capacity.

The report suggests expansion at Heathrow could create 70,000 new jobs and result in airlines flying to 40 new flight destinations by 2050.

Sir Howard Davies, the Commission chairman, said: "Heathrow is best placed to provide the type of capacity which is most urgently required: long-haul destinations to new markets.

"It provides the greatest benefits for business passengers, freight operators and the broader economy."

The study leaves open the possibility of expansion at Gatwick but concludes the economic benefits would be considerably smaller. The building of a new airport in the Thames estuary was considered to be "unfeasibly expensive".

Chief executive officer for Heathrow, John Holland Kay, said the plans would create a prosperous future for the UK and create jobs for hundreds of thousands of school children.

He told Sky News: "The debate is over. Only Heathrow expansion will keep Britain as one of the world's great trading nations."

Opponents of expansion at Heathrow say homes will be destroyed and hundreds of thousands of people would suffer from noise and increased traffic congestion.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, who has long campaigned against a third runway at Heathrow, told Sky News: "I've been saying for three years that Sir Howard's mandate has been to produce a fig leaf for an establishment U-turn on a third runway at Heathrow.

"The trouble with this scheme is that it's just not deliverable. There would have to be restrictions on night flights and noise, none of which Heathrow is willing to accept.

"It would pave the way for a fourth runway; even more noise pollution over London and fumes in west London. I don't think it's going to happen."

Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith said the study had been a waste of time and money and insisted a third runway at Heathrow would not go ahead.

"There will be more than a million Londoners up in arms about this," he told Sky News.

"I said years ago that if my party gives a green light to Heathrow expansion I would resign and trigger a by-election in my constituency. But a new runway is not going to happen.

"Over the next few months there will be a ramped-up campaign against expansion and we will make certain the government will not give the green light to Heathrow."

Residents campaigning against a new runway at Gatwick say expansion there would also increase noise, pollution and traffic congestion, hitting the area's heritage and natural landscapes.

Green groups do not want a new runway at either airport.

"It's simply not credible for the Government to build a new runway in the South East and still claim to be serious about tackling climate change," said Andrew Pendleton of Friends Of The Earth.

Greenpeace UK executive director John Sauven said: "The solution is not to build more tarmac strips but to manage demand."