Approval for Heathrow expansion possible by Christmas

The government appears determined to pursue the construction of a third runway at Heathrow Airport, but the inquiry remains ongoing, according to a report in The Times. The report also indicated that approval of the controversial plan for an additional runway could happen by Christmas.

It is also indicated in the report that the Department of Transportation is still making its way through the 70,000 or more public submissions relative to the proposed third runway.

Each of the 70,000 submissions requires an independent review and verification, but it seems that with the transport secretary Ruth Kelly’s strong support for the expansion proposal, a favourable announcement regarding the plan might be forthcoming by late November.

Residents of West London have been protesting, saying that the noise from expanded capacity at Heathrow would be unbearable for them, and there have also been ongoing efforts by environmentalists to undermine the building of a third runway. In addition, the EU has raised concerns about increased levels of air pollution.

The news that an approval of the plan is likely to happen will displease Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, who made an announcement last week that a feasibility study was underway regarding the construction of a new airport on a Thames Estuary island.

Aides to the mayor have said that the scheme, in which Heathrow would be closed in phases, would help ease traffic congestion in London and also create new jobs to the east of the city.

More information on this story is available at www.timesonline.co.uk.

www.heathrowairport.com