Third runway at Heathrow 'is great news for Wales'

First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said: “I welcome this long-awaited announcement, which will benefit Welsh passengers, bring tourists to Wales, help our exporters reach new markets and create new jobs.

“It is crucial the people of Wales share the benefits of this major national infrastructure project. I fully expect a fair allocation of landing slots at the expanded airport and urge the UK Government to deliver the Western Rail Link to Heathrow by the 2024.

"The new link, alongside the electrification of the rail line to Swansea and modernisation of the north Wales mainline and Cardiff Central station, will ensure the people and economy of Wales benefit fully from the expansion of Heathrow.

“We will also work to ensure that Wales receives the consequentials to which it is entitled to under the Barnett formula.”

“Although today’s announcement is welcome, we continue to press for Air Passenger Duty (APD) to be devolved to Wales.”

the Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns, said today he was delighted with the announcement to build a new runway at Heathrow, saying: "this decision will have major positive impact for Welsh businesses with access to new markets and trade.  

"A London hub can provide multiple daily connections to international destinations.  This is great news for Wales by broadening horizons through greater connectivity and ensuring that Wales is open for business." 

Proposals to expand an existing runway at Heathrow or build a second runway at Gatwick were rejected.

A public consultation will now be held on the impact of a third runway at the west London hub before the final decision is put to MPs for a vote in the winter of 2017/18.

A new runway could be operational by 2025.

Prime Minister Theresa May has moved to head off possible Cabinet resignations by giving ministers freedom to speak out against the Government's decision, with the possibility of Heathrow expansion fiercely opposed by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Education Secretary Justine Greening.

Tory MP Zac Goldsmith intends to honour his pledge to resign and force a by-election in Richmond Park and Kingston North in protest at the outcome, the local Conservative Association confirmed.

The Government has proposed that a six-and-a-half-hour ban on scheduled night flights will be introduced for the first time, as well as more stringent night noise restrictions.

The timing of the ban will be determined through a consultation.

The Department for Transport (DfT) claimed that the new runway will bring economic benefits to passengers and the wider economy worth up to £61 billion.

Heathrow said it is ready to deliver a third runway that is "fair, affordable and secures the benefits of expansion for the whole of the UK".

Business groups, politicians and trade unions welcomed the decision as an end to years of "dithering" over the issue.

But environmental groups expressed concern about the impact on climate change and some local residents expressed anger that there could be hundreds of thousands of more flights each year.

The Government is expected to face legal challenges over the decision.

Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth Council, said: "Ultimately it will be for the courts to decide if this project goes ahead, and the law is on our side."

Announcing the decision, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "The step that the Government is taking today is truly momentous.

"I am proud that after years of discussion and delay this Government is taking decisive action to secure the UK's place in the global aviation market - securing jobs and business opportunities for the next decade and beyond."

He went on: " We've thought long and hard about this. The committee considered all three options. There were three very good options on the table.

"But we believe a third runway for Heathrow is the best option for our future. It's the best for the whole country to create better connectivity to the different regions of the United Kingdom and to provide the best trade links to the world."

The Transport Secretary said it was inevitable that some people would disagree with the decision after being asked about opposition from Mr Johnson and Ms Greening.

Mr Grayling said: "It would be impossible to deliver a project like this without some people disagreeing with the strategy.

"We've taken a view that where people have direct constituency concerns and interests they should have the freedom to articulate those long-held views.

"But this is about taking the right decision for the United Kingdom."

Asked if he believed the third runway would be built, Mr Grayling replied: "Absolutely."

Labour said it was in favour of an additional runway somewhere in the South East but called for "vital" reassurances on capacity, climate change, noise and air quality, stressing that the Government's announcement "does not yet do that".

Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald described the move as a "yet another step in the process" and urged ministers to draw up a comprehensive transport and infrastructure strategy.

He said: "The Tories have dithered for far too long.

"Had ministers not done so, the UK could be much further on in addressing these issues by now.

"That is why they must now commit to dealing with their proposal's environmental and infrastructure issues without further delay."