Heathrow to get third runway

Recent news that the Government is to back plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport has caused much debate between airline and environmental groups. A new runway would also mean the introduction of a sixth terminal to help cope with passenger numbers. It is thought that the runway will be in place by 2020 if everything goes according to plan. Some people are in favour of the new extension whereas others are going to do everything possible to prevent it from being built. In order to help you make a decision here is some information from both sides of the argument. 

For

The introduction of a third runway will bring £5 billion worth of economic benefit to the UK even after taking account of climate change and noise costs. Heathrow Airport provides 170,000 jobs, billions of pounds of British exports and is the UK’s main gateway to the global economy. With so many benefits when only using two runways, the possibilities could be endless with the introduction of a third.  

It will help the airport to run more effectively as it will be easier to cope with ever increasing passenger numbers. At the moment Heathrow Airport is always full and relies on only two runways which can lead to delays and congestion. Not only does more space mean more flights and less delays, it means that more flight destinations can be introduced.  

The airport has been running at nearly full capacity for so long that minor problems are leading to major delays which angers travellers from all over the world. This means that Heathrow’s status as a world class airport will diminish over time which means that jobs will be lost and the economy will suffer. Another problem this will cause is that London and the UK’s nations and regions are reliant on the good international connections that the Heathrow Hub provides which could be destroyed if things continue as they are.  

All those involved with building the new runway are well aware of the environmental impacts and will work hard to keep them as low as possible. The chief executive of British Airways has said that the runway can be developed without increasing carbon emissions and the Stern Report on climate change has revealed that economic growth can be pursued hand – in – hand with measures to cut emissions.  

Against

As there is already limited space around Heathrow Airport this means that space is going to have to be created so that the new runway can be built. This is going to result in people who live in Harmondsworth, Sipson and Harlington losing their homes and there is every possibility that whole communities may be wiped out including ancient buildings. People who have been living in these areas all their lives may not want to move but will feel pressured to sell up and may not end up having a choice in the matter at all. There are currently 473,000 planes using Heathrow Airport but this is set to rise to 700,000 a year upon completion of the new extension. There is no doubt that this is going to have an effect on the environment with more carbon emissions being released from aeroplanes and more people driving to and from the airport.

As well as this new transportation links from trains and busses are going to be installed which again means that Heathrow is going to be inflicting more pollution on the environment. 

People who live near Heathrow Airport are already finding it hard to cope with the noise levels with aeroplanes taking off and landing every 90 seconds. This is set to increase after the introduction of a third runway which means that the noise is going to become even more unbearable for local residents. Although aircraft are now quieter than they were a few decades ago the fact that there are now so many of them taking off and landing every day makes the noise just as unbearable as it was before. 

So what do you think about the introduction of a third runway and sixth terminal at Heathrow Airport? Maybe you are a local resident and are campaigning against the building work or maybe you are a regular business traveller who is welcoming the extension. Whoever you are and whatever you think let us know.