MPs 'back economy over climate concerns'
MPs 'back economy over climate concerns'
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Monday, 07, Dec 2009 12:01
By Alex Steger
MPs have backed plans for the expansion of Heathrow airport, in report published today.
They have stressed the importance of the expansion to the UK's economy.
The Commons transport select committee has highlighted the economic value of aviation to the UK and has endorsed plans for a third runway at Heathrow.
The committee has also called on the government to ensure that all of the UK's major airports are connected by a high speed rail service.
The report of the committee's findings comes out in the same week that the UN summit on climate change is taking place in Copenhagen. The summit hopes to reach an agreement on global CO2 emissions.
Louise Ellman, chairman of the committee, said "Aviation is important to the UK economy, both in the southeast of England and in the regions. Heathrow is a major European hub airport but only six UK cities have flights into it.
"Even with expansion, we need to improve direct access to Heathrow from the national rail network in order to maximise the economic benefits and to reduce the environmental impacts."
The committee did though set out a series of principals it believes should be applied to future aviation in the UK to help curb its environmental impact. These include the ensuring the retirement of older and nosier planes.
Whilst backing plans for the third runway at Heathrow, MPs did question the need for a second runway at Stanstead Airport, and suggested Gatwick may prove a better location for expansion after 2019.