Hoon admits figures error on Heathrow exaggerates benefit
net benefit of new runways at Heathrow and Stansted airports.
in January, said the mistake did “not materially affect” evidence presented on
the impact of expansion of the west London airport.
rate – means the Government has now issued lower net benefit figures for this
particular passenger demand forecast.
minus 1% – meaning the Stansted second runway and terminal capacity net benefit
under the GDP test comes down from £8.7billion to £8.6billion. And, under the
same criteria, the Heathrow third runway and sixth terminal net benefit comes
down from £5.4billion to £5.1billion.
central case, remained unchanged for both airports. It is £10billion for Stansted
and £5.5billion for Heathrow.
into the Stansted expansion and that participants were being alerted to the corrections.
Minister admits airports expansion blunder (Stansted)
benefit of new runways at Stansted Airport. But Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon
said the mistake did “not materially affect” evidence presented on the impact
of the expansion at the airport.
The mistake – relating to the predicted 2009 GDP (gross domestic product) growth
rate – means the Gov
demand forecast.
Mr Hoon said that the GDP figure was given as plus 1% when it should have been
minus 1%.
This means the Stansted second runway and associated terminal capacity net benefit
under the GDP sensitivity test comes down from £8.7bn to £8.6bn.
And, under the same criteria, the Heathrow third runway and sixth terminal net
benefit comes down from £5.4bn to £5.1bn.
But Mr Hoon said the overall expansion cost benefit figure, known as the central
case, remained unchanged for both airports – at £10bn for Stansted and £5.5bn
for Heathrow.
He said the mistake was relevant to those preparing evidence for the public inquiry
into the Stansted expansion and that participants were being alerted to the corrections
so they could use them in forming evidence.