Conservatives vow rapid runway delivery

Shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith will announce at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham that a future Conservative government will do whatever it takes to deliver a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

“We're 'all in' for growth and we will legislate to sweep away the blockers to getting the infrastructure our country needs built.”

Labour keeps expansion options open

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told the Labour party conference in Liverpool that Prime Minister Andy Burnham maintains an open mind regarding expansion at the nation's busiest airport.

Current timeline extends to 2039

Under current plans, Heathrow Airport management aims to obtain planning approval by two thousand twenty-nine, though the additional runway is not expected to be operational until two thousand thirty-nine.

Griffith rejects delayed timeline

Griffith will reject the two thousand thirty-nine timeframe, saying Britain cannot wait until the two thousand forty-s for a third runway and comparing the country to historical engineering achievements.

“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.”

Burnham emphasises community consultation

On the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, Prime Minister Andy Burnham suggested the airport's future was a matter for London and Londoners, saying he would listen to community views.

“I think it's right that we hear what people have said through the consultation and then consider the way forward from there.”

Heathrow welcomes cross-party consensus

Thomas Woldbye, chief executive of Heathrow Airport, welcomed the growing consensus behind expansion and said Heathrow and its investors stand ready to work with politicians across the spectrum to build the runway.

“We welcome the growing 'can do' consensus behind Heathrow expansion and the Conservative leadership's recognition of the role we can play in driving growth across the UK.”