Heathrow chief: David Cameron faces ‘stark’ choice on airport expansion
Heathrow is the only expansion option that will help the Prime Minister achieve his vision, Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye has said.
In his first speech since the Government’s response to the Airport’s Commission, the airport boss set out the stark ‘choice’ the Prime Minister faces over airport capacity in the South East.
He said: “Do you choose the new Heathrow plan which delivers your vision; economic security for hardworking families, more exports to emerging markets to tackle the deficit, supporting the northern powerhouse.
“A new plan, designed to meet all your environmental targets and which has the support from the majority of local communities.
“The only plan that creates hundreds of thousands of skilled jobs, that has the support of every major employer’s group, as well as the unions.
“The only location which all the airlines agree is the right one and want to fly from. The only option that the Commission said was future proofed for any future scenario.
“The only promoter with a track record of delivering huge infrastructure projects on time and on budget, and which is seen as the most financially robust option by Moody's. The only plan with a strong policy basis, following the unanimous and unequivocal support of the Airports’ Commission.
“The only plan which you know you can get through Parliament because it has the backing of the majority of MPs across all the major parties, as well as politicians in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A resilient plan, which puts the airport at the heart of the UK’s transport system, served by 5 motorways and 5 railway lines.”
“But of course as Prime Minister, you have a choice. You could choose the option that will not get us to emerging markets, which does nothing for the regions of the UK, or for exports, that delivers a fraction of the jobs or the economic benefits, is less financially robust, does not have the support of business or unions, nor the local community, nor the airlines, nor politicians, nor the policy basis of the Airports Commission.
“That offers local people no respite from noise. That has only one motorway and one railway line.
“Which do you say “yes” to? You know the answer, and I am sure he does. You say “yes” to Heathrow – obviously.”
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