Comments by Zac Goldsmith and Boris Johnson on the government runway statement

Date added: 10 December, 2015

Zac said he was “absolutely delighted” that the Government has acknowledged that the airports decision cannot be made without further environmental tests – “after much campaigning, the Government has heard the arguments, seen sense and taken this course of action.” …”We know that any airport expansion must meet our legally binding carbon, noise and air quality limits”. …”The choice has always been between an outdated model which would lead to higher costs and less choice, or investing in a network of well connected and competing airports.” Boris said: “Time to jettison the 3rd runway, chuck it overboard… it ain’t gonna happen”. He said many will think a 3rd runway at Heathrow is “pathetically unambitious”….”A lot of people will see this as just more fudge-erama to push a decision beyond the Mayoral elections.” He said Heathrow expansion has been “officially grounded” despite airport officials putting a “superhuman effort into bouncing the Government into a quick decision in their favour”….”The wheels are falling off the Heathrow fuselage” and Heathrow will realise that “due to the environmental impacts, the legal obstacles and the cost to the public purse, this bird will never fly.” He still has hopes for the Thames estuary …

Also Ray Puddifoot comment below.

Comment by Zac Goldsmith, MP and Conservative London Mayoral candidate:

10.12.2015

Today the Government has acknowledged that the airports decision cannot be made without further environmental tests.

The shortlisted options for expansion, including Heathrow and Gatwick, now have to go back to the drawing board and prove that their plans are consistent with tackling air pollution.

I am absolutely delighted that, after much campaigning, the Government has heard the arguments, seen sense and taken this course of action.

We know that any airport expansion must meet our legally binding carbon, noise and air quality limits. There can be no doubt that in a fair contest on air quality, Heathrow will not win.

That is good news for London. We have a massive opportunity now to remove the threat of Heathrow expansion once and for all, and to press for an intelligent approach to London’s connectivity.

The choice has always been between an outdated model which would lead to higher costs and less choice, or investing in a network of well connected and competing airports.

If elected Mayor I will continue to make the case for the latter and bring the same focus and discipline to getting things done for Londoners.

Today has demonstrated why it is so important that London elects a Mayor who can fight for Londoners’ interests and get results.

Telegraph said:

The delay means that Zac Goldsmith, the Conservative candidate for Mayor of London who is opposed to Heathrow expansion, will not have to fulfill a pledge to resign as a Conservative MP.

It raises the prospect that Boris Johnson, the current Mayor of London, could have to resign over the issue if he joins the Cabinet next year.

Sky News said on Twitter:

Mayor of London Boris Johnson: “Time to jettison the third runway, chuck it overboard… it ain’t gonna happen”

Boris Johnson: “A lot of people will say this is fudgerama”

The Mayor of London has told Channel 4 news that many will think the Government’s decision is a “fudger-rama” and that a third runway at Heathrow is “pathetically unambitious”.

He said: “It might look like terminal indecision. A lot of people will see this as just more fudge-erama to push a decision beyond the Mayoral elections.”

Mr Johnson claimed that Heathrow expansion has been “officially grounded” despite airport officials putting a “superhuman effort into bouncing the Government into a quick decision in their favour”.

He said: “The Prime Minister and his colleagues have refused to allow themselves to be hustled.

“The wheels are falling off the Heathrow fuselage and I think that, now the Government has hit the pause button, they will begin to understand with ever greater clarity that, due to the environmental impacts, the legal obstacles and the cost to the public purse, this bird will never fly.”

The mayor added that the chances of his favoured project – a new airport in the Thames Estuary – going ahead have been boosted by the delay.

Hillingdon Council leader says announcement “deeply disappointing”

Hillingdon Council Leader Ray Puddifoot said: “The government should rule out Heathrow expansion now, not in six months time. No ifs, no buts.

“It has been proven yet again that it cannot be accommodated without resulting in unacceptable levels of noise, air pollution and destroying local communities.

“It’s deeply disappointing that our residents have to live with more uncertainly and distress while this futile debate rumbles on.”

Government statement 7pm this evening: Delay runway decision till summer, after a package of further work. Including on CO2, air pollution and noise.

The statement by the DfT:

Government confirms support for airport expansion in the south-east

From: Department for Transport and The Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP10 December 2015

Government statement on airport expansion in the south-east.

– location decision subject to further consideration on environmental impacts and the best possible mitigation measures

– government agrees with the Airports Commission that the south-east needs more runway capacity by 2030

– government agrees with the Airports Commission’s shortlist of options, all of which it concluded were viableThe government has accepted the case for airport expansion in the south-east and the Airports Commission’s shortlist of options for expansion. It has also identified the most appropriate way of delivering planning consents for new capacity, it was decided today (10 December 2015) at the Airports Sub Committee.The government will undertake a package of further work and we anticipate that it will conclude over the summer.The government will do this quickly so that the timetable for delivering capacity set out by the Airports Commission can be met.

The Airports Commission published a large amount of very detailed analysis on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions for their 3 shortlisted schemes. The government faces a complex and challenging decision on delivering this capacity.

The Airports Commission’s air quality analysis will be tested using the latest projected future concentrations of nitrogen dioxide.

The next step is to continue to develop the best possible package of measures to mitigate the impacts on local people and the environment. This will include a package for local communities to include compensation, maximising local economic opportunities through new jobs and apprenticeships, and measures to tackle noise.

More work will be done on environmental impacts. The government expects the airports to put forward ambitious solutions.

The mechanism for delivering planning consents for airport expansion will be an ‘Airports national policy statement’ (NPS), following which a scheme promoter would need to apply for a development consent order.

Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin said:

“The case for aviation expansion is clear – but it’s vitally important we get the decision right so that it will benefit generations to come. We will undertake more work on environmental impacts, including air quality, noise and carbon.

“We must develop the best possible package of measures to mitigate the impacts on local people. We will continue work on all the shortlisted locations, so that the timetable for more capacity set out by Sir Howard is met.

“At the first opportunity I will make a statement to the House to make clear our plans.”

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-confirms-support-for-airport-expansion-in-the-south-east