UK Prime Minister Dodges Question on Heathrow Expansion
Andy Burnham declined to state his position on a third runway at Heathrow, citing the need to consider local voices.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declined to state his support for a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport, noting that the project's potential delay of up to four years makes it a matter for Londoners.
"I think principally, it's a matter for London and Londoners," Burnham said on Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg. "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."
Heathrow indicated on Saturday that the expansion, which had a projected opening date of 2035, might not be operational before 2039. The project is estimated to cost £33 billion.
As Mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham had previously opposed the Heathrow expansion due to concerns that it could divert investment away from transport infrastructure in the north of England. Upon taking office as Prime Minister, he stated he was "open-minded" about the scheme. He reiterated that there is an ongoing consultation and that different viewpoints must be taken seriously before a decision is made.
Heathrow Airport responded by agreeing that local voices are important. The airport stated that consistent polling over the past decade shows growing support for its expansion plans among communities.
The proposed third runway has faced opposition from environmental campaigners and local resident groups, as well as the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. The expansion would necessitate the demolition of hundreds of homes, the diversion of rivers, and rerouting a section of the M25 motorway through a tunnel.
Proponents estimate the project would create 100,000 jobs and provide a significant boost to the UK economy. The number of flights at Heathrow, currently capped at 480,000 annually, could increase to 720,000. Unions Unite and the GMB have also backed the expansion, viewing it as essential for investing in the workforce, securing unionized jobs, and supporting the UK steel market.
Heathrow conceded earlier this weekend that meeting the original timeline would be difficult without streamlining the planning process. The airport hopes to secure planning permission by 2029 and open the runway "within a decade." The Department for Transport acknowledged that the timeline has "always been ambitious" and committed to working with stakeholders at pace.