In July 2015, the independent Airports Commission recommended expanding Heathrow, after a three year, £20 million study into the best option for maintaining the UK’s global aviation hub status, but within severe restrictions.
Heathrow has announced it will meet and, in most cases, exceed these conditions. Its formal response to the Commission includes:
· The introduction of a ban by Government on scheduled flights for six and a half hours between 2300 and 0530 – an increase from five hours today – and supporting the earlier introduction of the ban after planning consent is received and the necessary airspace has been modernised.
· A proposal for the Environment Agency to be given the role of an independent aviation air quality authority, to provide transparent scrutiny of the measures Heathrow will introduce to enable it to expand only in accordance with air quality rules.
· Establishing an Education and Skills Taskforce that will identify how best to develop the airport’s future skilled workforce and to create a legacy for UK infrastructure projects.
As a well-recognised voice on the debate, David Sleath, SEGRO Chief Executive, has said:
“As the leading industrial landlord at Heathrow, SEGRO owns and manages 60 million sq. ft. of industrial space – a large proportion located in West London and the Thames Valley. We have long championed the need for additional aviation capacity in the UK to ensure that Britain’s success in the global economy, and welcomed the Airports Commission recommendation to expand Heathrow. Our customers rely on strong international air connectivity and say expansion at Heathrow would benefit their businesses and the UK economy as a whole.”
“We understand that this cannot come at any cost and support Heathrow’s work to meet and exceed the conditions set out by the Airports Commission in order to enable Government to end indecision and get on and build the third runway.”
