Essex backs expansion at Heathrow airport

Expansion plans: Essex Council have backed plans for a new runway at Heathrow
Jack Taylor/Getty Images
Fiona Simpson25 October 2016

Plans to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport in west London have been hailed by council leaders in Essex.

The move will create an extra 10,000 jobs at Stansted, Essex Council claims.

Heathrow was backed as the preferred option over Gatwick by Prime Minister Theresa May and the Cabinet today after years of arguments.

The £16 billion plan will increase the number of flights at Europe’s busiest airport to more than 700,000 a year by 2030.

Essex County Council has welcomed the plans and is calling on the Government to start the process quickly.

Heathrow Airport through the years - In pictures

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Deputy leader Councillor Kevin Bentley said: “It really is the most viable option as well as the option business leaders have called for all along.

“What is needed now is swift action to ensure the UK can continue to lay claim to the world’s most successful airport and expansion plans can really take off.”

According to the council, Stansted Airport will be used to serve an extra 20 million passengers a year which expansion takes place, creating 10,000 jobs.

Cllr Bentley added: “Increased airport capacity is vital to economic growth and this option will take more than a decade to complete.

“Investment in rail links to Stansted Airport could help drive natural growth and alleviate capacity issues in the short-term.”

Theresa May told the Evening Standard it was a decision made “for jobs and growth” and showed that post-Brexit Britain will be an “open, global, successful country”.

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