Calling for government to pull plug on Davies Commission

The government-backed Airports Commission has quashed plans for a four-runway airport in the Thames Estuary, leaving Heathrow and Gatwick in a two-horse race to persuade the commission that they should be chosen for Britain’s next runway.


'Boris Island' - Picture: Foster and Partners 

Richard Tracey, GLA Conservative London Assembly Member for Merton & Wandsworth, has condemned the decision to reject plans for a hub airport in the Thames Estuary. Richard said:
“London needs a globally competitive hub airport. In ruling out the Thames Estuary plans, the Commission has just ruled out the only remaining option that fits the bill. In reality it is the Commission itself that should be scrapped. Building a new runway at Gatwick will simply just mean a bigger Gatwick."

He continued:
"A third runway at Heathrow would cause misery for millions of Londoners without solving the problem. The Davies Commission, with a budget of £20m, is heading down a blind alley, whilst wasting time and taxpayer cash. The Government must pull the plug and adopt the Mayor of London’s Estuary airport solution."

Whilst at Heathrow Airport, John Holland-Kaye the CEO for Heathrow welcomed the decision saying:
“We have always agreed with the Mayor that Britain needs a successful hub airport to compete in the global race for jobs and growth . Heathrow is now the only hub left in the race. We would like to work with the Mayor to deliver Heathrow expansion in a way that benefits the whole country while reducing noise impacts for local people compared to today.”

September 2, 2014