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00:43 BST, May 28, 2018Business lobby groups representing half a million companies have urged the UK Prime Minister to hold a vote on Heathrow Airport’s expansion.
The Confederation of British Industry, the British Chambers of Commerce, the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses, and other groups signed a letter highlighting the importance of Heathrow’s third runway, stating that the government needs to “get on with expanding the UK’s airport capacity” as it is “crucial” for UK trade.
Concept design of an expanded Heathrow.
The letter sent to Number 10 said:
“As Brexit approaches, Heathrow expansion is crucial to making sure the UK remains an outward-looking trading nation and is well-equipped to compete on the world stage.
“For British businesses, the benefits of expansion have always been clear: connections to new markets and trading opportunities, with better links with regional airports across the UK a boost to British exports, and a skills legacy for future generations.”
“There are many unknowns for businesses surrounding Britain’s future trading arrangements, but what is absolutely certain is that our economic success depends on securing Heathrow’s future as a leading international airport,” the letter added.
“The world is waiting for Britain’s businesses, but it won’t wait forever,” the letter concluded.
The government is expected to hold a vote on the Airports National Policy Statement, which includes Heathrow expansion, before the summer recess. If it passes, then Heathrow can begin preparing a detailed plan of the third runway expansion.