The Conservatives are set to pledge an incoming government would “do whatever it takes” to secure a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
Shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith is expected to tell the party conference in Birmingham that a future Conservative government would legislate to remove barriers to major infrastructure projects.
“We’re ‘all in’ for growth and we will legislate to sweep away the blockers to getting the infrastructure our country needs built,” he is expected to say.
Heathrow expansion timetable
Heathrow’s management has been working towards securing permission for a third runway by 2029. The runway is understood not to be due to become operational until 2039.
Mr Griffith is expected to argue that the project should be delivered sooner, saying: “I refuse to accept for a single moment that the country of (Isambard Kingdom) Brunel and (Joseph) Bazalgette, of the vaccine taskforce and the Mulberry harbours … has to sit around waiting until the 2040s to get a third runway built.”
He is also expected to say that the UK’s “national hub airport is being held back” and that the next Conservative government would back the runway to end delays and increase capacity.
Government position
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said at the Labour conference in Liverpool last week that Prime Minister Andy Burnham had an “open mind” about whether Heathrow should receive a third runway.
Mr Burnham has described the airport’s future as “a matter for London and Londoners”. He said consultation responses should be considered before a decision is made.
Ms Alexander said the Prime Minister wanted to hear from affected communities in London, businesses and other airports.
Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said the airport welcomed what he described as a growing “can do” consensus on expansion.
“Heathrow and our investors stand ready to work with politicians from across the spectrum to finally get the third runway built,” he said.