Vote on Heathrow 3rd runway delayed (due to election that went so wrong for the Tories) till probably June 2018 – not end of 2017
A vote by MPs on the 3rd Heathrow runway has been postponed until 2018, due to the disruption caused by the snap General Election in June. Transport secretary Chris Grayling said the publication of the final Airport’s National Policy Statement (NPS) setting out the position of the government and the ensuing House of Commons vote will not take place until 2018. The original intention had been to get the vote in December, or perhaps January 2018. Grayling said: “The timing of the election, in particular the need to re-start a select committee inquiry into the draft Airports NPS means we now expect to lay any final NPS in Parliament in the first half of 2018, for a vote in the House of Commons.” He added that a further update would be provided following the House of Commons summer recess. The Co-ordinator of the No 3rd Runway Coalition, Rob Barnstone, representing MPs, local authorities and campaign groups opposed to Heathrow expansion said: “Postponing this decision once again shows that the government are worried not only about losing a parliamentary vote, but also that their aviation strategy will simply be in tatters. As the weeks and months go on, we’re seeing even greater support for our campaign against Heathrow expansion. By the time this vote comes before Parliament, if at all, we are confident that MPs will vote it down. Heathrow expansion is not deliverable.”
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FLIGHT DELAY Heathrow runway is kicked into the long grass AGAIN as Commons vote is delayed until next year
Theresa May fears she could succumb to a backbench rebellion from anti-Heathrow Tories
By Hugo Gye (The Sun)
13th July 2017,
THE FUTURE of Heathrow has been kicked into the long grass yet again after the Government announced that MPs won’t vote on a third runway until next year.
Because of the snap election, the Tories will not officially announce their support for the airport expansion until as late as June 2018.
The final decision on expanding Heathrow will not be made for another year
The Sun was first to reveal that Theresa May was keen to shelve the issue because she feared a rebellion by backbench MPs.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling confirmed today that the Airports National Policy Statement (NPS) will be published in a year’s time.
He said in a statement: “The timing of the election, in particular the need to re-start a select committee inquiry into the draft Airports NPS means we now expect to lay any final NPS in Parliament in the first half of 2018, for a vote in the House of Commons.”
Mrs May has previously said she supports the building of a third runway at Heathrow, and the Tories committed to the policy in their election manifesto.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling today announced the latest delay to Heathrow expansion plans
But with the PM reliant on the DUP for her majority, she could lose a vote if just seven backbenchers turn against her.
Several Conservatives – including ministers Boris Johnson and Justine Greening – are passionately opposed to Heathrow expansion.
Zac Goldsmith resigned his seat last year in protest at the plan for a third runway, although he has since returned to the Commons.
Anti-expansion campaigner Rob Barnstone said today: “Postponing this decision once again shows that the Government are worried not only about losing a parliamentary vote, but also that their aviation strategy will simply be in tatters.
Zac Goldsmith is one of several Tory MPs who is set to rebel against a third runway
“As the weeks and months go on, we’re seeing even greater support for our campaign against Heathrow expansion.
“By the time this vote comes before Parliament, if at all, we are confident that MPs will vote it down.”
But a spokesman for the airport said: “Our plans for an expanded Heathrow will secure Britain’s export-led future, boosting our trading links and making Britain the best-connected country in the world. That’s why we are backed by the Government.”
Critics claim that a third runway would create an intolerable amount of noise for local residents and ramp up noise pollution.
The debate over whether to expand Heathrow has been going on for more than a decade, with no government willing to make a final call on the issue.
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Statement by Chris Grayling on the DfT website
13.7.2017
In October 2016, the government selected a new north-west runway at Heathrow as its preferred scheme for delivering new airport capacity in the south-east.
In February a consultation on a draft Airports National Policy Statement (NPS) was launched, which set out the reasons for this preference, along with the mitigation and compensation measures the government expects the promoter to put in place if planning permission is to be granted.
The consultation closed on 25 May and the work to analyse the over 70,000 responses is progressing well. I would like to thank all of those who contributed their views.
This government is fully committed to realising the benefits that a new north-west runway at Heathrow would bring, in terms of economic growth, boosting jobs and skills, strengthening domestic links and – critically – increasing and developing our international connectivity as we prepare to leave the European Union.
The timing of the election, in particular the need to re-start a Select Committee inquiry into the draft Airports NPS means we now expect to lay any final NPS in Parliament in the first half of 2018, for a vote in the House of Commons.
I will provide a further update to the House after the summer recess on our next steps following analysis of the consultation responses.
…. then a section on night flights …
Then:
Strong international links are critical to the future prosperity of our country, with a world-class hub airport and thriving aviation sector central to this. We are committed to realising the economic and social benefits aviation has to offer, while taking seriously the need to balance this with managing the local and environmental impacts of aviation.
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/update-on-the-airports-nps-and-a-decision-on-night-flights
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Snap General Election blamed as final vote on Heathrow Airport third runway postponed until 2018
Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, said the Commons vote would not take place until the first half of next year
BY LOIS Swinnerton (Get West London)
13.7.2017
A final decision on the third runway at Heathrow Airport has been postponed until 2018.
Transport secretary Chris Grayling stated the publication of the final Airport’s National Policy Statement (NPS) setting out the position of the government and the ensuing House of Commons vote will not take place until the first half of next year, blaming the snap General Election for the delay.
He said: “ This government is fully committed to realising the benefits that a new northwest runway at Heathrow would bring, in terms of economic growth, boosting jobs and skills, strengthening domestic links and – critically – increasing and developing our international connectivity as we prepare to leave the European Union.
“The timing of the election, in particular the need to re-start a select committee inquiry into the draft Airports NPS means we now expect to lay any final NPS in Parliament in the first half of 2018, for a vote in the House of Commons.”
He added that a further update would be provided following the House of Commons summer recess.
The Department for Transport previously announced in October last year that steps towards a final decision would be made in late 2017 or early 2018.
Coordinator of the No 3rd Runway Coalition, Rob Barnstone, representing MPs, local authorities and campaign groups opposed to expansion said: “Postponing this decision once again shows that the government are worried not only about losing a parliamentary vote, but also that their aviation strategy will simply be in tatters.
“As the weeks and months go on, we’re seeing even greater support for our campaign against Heathrow expansion.
“By the time this vote comes before Parliament, if at all, we are confident that MPs will vote it down. Heathrow expansion is not deliverable.”
“A new runway at the UK’s biggest port is crucial”
Executive director of Back Heathrow, Parmjit Dhanda, said: “It’s great news that the government has reaffirmed its support for expanding Heathrow.
“A new runway at the UK’s biggest port is crucial as we look to navigate Brexit and create a bright, prosperous future outside of the European Union.”
Heathrow Airport says it is able to expand whilst reducing the noise impact in the local area
He claimed the expansion will create 10,000 apprenticeships, 77,000 new jobs in the local area and 180,000 across the country.
He said: “This is a huge opportunity and we are confident that when parliament votes on it next year, it will not fail to take it.”
Heathrow Airport said it is able to expand while reducing the noise impact on people living under the flight paths.
It currently has a number of schemes in operation providing both local houses and schools with forms of noise insulation.
http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/snap-general-election-blamed-final-13327275
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