Rob Gray, Back Heathrow’s Campaign Co-ordinator, said he was “delighted” by the announcement.
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“While we want as many direct flights coming in and out of North East airports as possible, an expanded national hub is an essential requirement”.
Heathrow has estimated that building could start in 2020 and the new runway would be ready in 2025, but that could be held up by the government’s decision and tough planning laws.
“If they fail to do so, this debate will happen all over again in five years’ time”.
A new runway at Heathrow will create up to £147bn for the economy over 60 years, 70,000 jobs by 2050 and allow regular daily flights to some 40 new destinations.
WWF-UK CEO David Nussbaum said: “Expanding Heathrow would be the worst outcome for the environment”.
Our rivals have overtaken us and jobs, investment and enterprise have been lost to the likes of New York, Paris and Amsterdam. The people of London and the surrounding areas impacted by its noise and pollution deserve a break.
It does however favour the planned Western Rail Link from the Reading direction, which would involve a new western-facing junction on the Great Western Main Line, and also a Southern Rail Access link, which would connect the airport to London Waterloo and other destinations such as Richmond, which it says “are now poorly linked to the airport by public transport”.
‘It is of course for the Government to decide’
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“Gatwick is still very much in the race”.
He said the commission’s report was only a recommendation and that it was for the government to make a final decision.
The Heathrow recommendation was accompanied by a package of measures to limit the noise and environmental impact of a new runway.
The commission’s report said that while Gatwick’s proposal was “feasible” it was more focussed on “short-haul intra-European” routes, which had less economic benefit. It is quicker simpler and quieter. If ministers duck this decision, and delay airport expansion for yet another generation, British businesses and our overall competitiveness will pay the price.
The Commission’s proposal is expected to be backed – but only if it meets stringent conditions on air quality, noise pollution and carbon emissions.
The study leaves open the possibility of expansion at Gatwick but concludes the economic benefits would be considerably smaller.
Shadow Transport Secretary Michael Dugher told the Commons the Government must make a decision soon. “The benefits are significantly greater, for business passengers, freight operators and the broader economy”.
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“Adding capacity at Heathrow also provides an opportunity to change the airport’s relationship with its local communities as some overseas airports have done”, he added. Anti-Heathrow campaigners are already concerned that Mr Cameron, once an opponent, has come around to the plan after watering down opposition before the May 7 election.
