Reply To: Heathrow third runway and Gatwick second to be approved

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AndrewT wrote:

Superb comment from Simon Calder on Sky News this morning on the subject of airport expansion:

‘It’s 20 years since the then Labour Transport Secretary Alistair Darling told Parliament that doing nothing was not an option. Since then of course we’ve done absolutely nothing’

Well, what he says isn’t entirely correct. There have been huge efforts and costs incurred to progress this. The Airports Commission recommended the go ahead in 2015 and after much general opposition, a plethora of legal challenges and a long planning process Parliament voted in favour of the third runway in 2018. The Supreme Court dismissed the last legal challenge in late 2020, but then of course covid struck. It’s incredibly difficult when there are so many opponents and little political will or strength. We also have a system whereby every newt has to be heard. Sir Kier and Rachel have spoken of bulldozing these complainants (and not just re airports); whether they can or not is another matter. Their enthusiasm is going to meet opposition in Cabinet, wider Labour party and of course the Mayor. Can they be brought into line??