DARLING ANNOUNCES TWO NEW RUNWAYS FOR THE SOUTH EAST

16 Dec 2003 01:45 PM

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling today announced Government support for two new runways to be built in the South East by 2030, the first at Stansted and the second at Heathrow provided that it meets strict environmental conditions.

The White Paper, The Future of Air Transport is the framework for the future of air transport in the UK over the next 30 years. It balances the economic benefits that development offers against the environmental impact and follows an extensive public consultation, which generated half a million responses.

In the South East and East of England, the Government came to the following conclusions:

- There is an urgent need for additional runway capacity in the South East.

- There is no strong case for the development of a second international hub airport alongside Heathrow.

- The first priority is to make best use of the existing runways, including the remaining capacity at Stansted and Luton.

- Provision should be made for two new runways in the South East by 2030.

- The first new runway should be at Stansted, to be delivered as soon as possible (around 2011 or 2012).

- The further development of Heathrow is supported, including a further new runway and additional terminal capacity to be delivered as soon as possible (within the 2015-2020 period) after the new runway at Stansted, but only if stringent environmental limits can be met. An urgent programme of work and consultation will be started to examine this issue further and to consider how best use can be made of the existing airport.

- The Government will not seek to overturn the 1979 planning agreement preventing construction of a second runway at Gatwick before 2019.

- In case the conditions attached to the construction of a third Heathrow runway cannot be met, and since there is a strong case on its own merits for a new wide-spaced runway at Gatwick after 2019, land should be safeguarded for this.

- The option to develop two or three additional runways at Stansted is not supported.

- The option for two new runways at Gatwick is not supported.

- The development of a second runway at Luton is not supported.

- The option to develop a new airport at Cliffe is not supported.

- The development of Alconbury for passenger or freight services is not supported, but the potential for relocation there of aircraft maintenance operations from Cambridge is recognised.

- There is scope for other existing South East airports, including London City, Norwich, Southampton and some smaller airports, to help meet local demand, and their further development is supported in principle, subject to relevant environmental considerations.

- No other proposals put forward during the consultation for new airports at alternative locations are supported.

Mr Darling said:

"There has been a five-fold increase in air travel since the 1970's; half the population now flies at least once a year, and many fly far more often than that. Forecasts suggest demand could be 2-1/2 times current levels by 2030. Airfreight has doubled in the last 10 years; one third by value of all goods we export go by air.

"Air travel is essential to the United Kingdom's economy and to our continued prosperity. The aviation industry directly employs 200,000 people with a further 600,000 jobs supported indirectly.

"We need to plan ahead so we can continue to benefit from the economic and social advantages of air travel, but at the same time deal with the impacts of increasing air transport for the environment. The policies set out in this White Paper achieve this."

In setting out its policy framework in the White Paper against which the relevant public bodies, airport operators and airlines can plan ahead, the Government has provided a guide for decisions on future planning applications. It does not itself authorise any particular development.

The Government also believes more needs to be done to reduce the impacts of air transport and airport development. At the global level, the Government will play a major role in pressing for new solutions and stronger action by international bodies. The White Paper sets out proposals to bring aviation within the European Union emissions trading scheme, to help limit greenhouse gas emissions.

To tackle local impacts around airports, the White Paper has recommended a range of measures to be applied nationally and locally. These include new legislation and economic instruments, as well as improved technology and stringent planning conditions attached to airport development.

The Government's objectives are to limit and, where possible, reduce noise impacts over time, to ensure air quality and other environmental standards are met, and to minimise other local environmental impacts. Where noise impacts cannot practically be limited, the White Paper sets out new measures which it expects airport operators to take to help those affected, by offering to insulate or, in more severe cases, purchase properties.

Airports are an important part of our national transport infrastructure, and their development needs to be planned within that context. Ensuring easy and reliable access to airports, which minimises environmental, congestion and other local impacts, is a key factor in considering any proposal for new airport capacity. Airport operators will be expected to develop appropriate access plans, and to contribute to the costs of the additional infrastructure or services needed.

Notes to Editors

1. In all cases where development is envisaged, full environmental assessment will be required when specific proposals are brought forward.

2. In doing so they are asked to produce new or revised airport master plans as quickly as possible. These should include details of the necessary environmental controls and mitigation plans, proposals for improved surface access, and, where appropriate, measures to address blight.

3. The appropriate planning and transport bodies will need to take these into account, along with the policies set out in this White Paper, in their guidance, strategies and decisions, together with the need to protect any land required for future airport expansion and to provide the necessary airspace.

4. People with requests for copies of the White Paper should contact the TSO (The Stationary Office) through the Parliamentary Hotline Lo-Call 0845 702 3474.

5. People with enquires regarding the White Paper should call 0845 100 5554. This telephone line is open until 31 March 2004.

6. The White Paper, summary document, press notices and fact sheets can be found at www.dft.gov.uk/aviation/whitepaper.

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk