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Business and union heavyweights unite to back Heathrow third runway
An alliance of business and union heavyweights has written to Prime Minister David Cameron offering support for a third runway at Heathrow amid reports that the decision might be delayed until next year.
In a letter sent yesterday, Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite, John Longworth, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, Baroness Jo Valentine, chief executive London First, and Mike Cherry, policy director FSB, offered their support to the PM in delivering ‘this next major national infrastructure project’.
"Both British business and trade unions were pivotal to delivering previous major infrastructure projects such as Heathrow Terminal 5 and the London 2012 Olympic Games," the letter said.
"We again stand ready to work together to help the Government successfully deliver this next major national infrastructure project and ensure that the economic legacy of airport expansion is secured.’¨
"We therefore urge that the forthcoming Government announcement is a clear and final decision to build a new third runway at Heathrow based on the recommendations of the Airports Commission, so that the UK can deliver the infrastructure needed to maintain and enhance its global position."
A decision over airport expansion was expected before the end of the year, but according to The Times newspaper a decision will now be delayed over doubts that a third runway at Heathrow would meet air quality standards.
It claims Heathrow could be told to come up with an alternative public transport improvement plan to reduce the amount of extra traffic created.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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