Heathrow expansion vote delayed ‘because of general election’
2 min read
The vote on Heathrow expansion has been delayed because of the general election, the Transport Secretary has revealed.
The Government had said the final decision would be taken by Parliament in the winter of 2017/18 but Chris Grayling said today the vote had been set back to the "first half" of next year.
“This Government is fully committed to realising the benefits that a new Northwest runway at Heathrow would bring, in terms of economic growth, boosting jobs and skills, strengthening domestic links and – critically – increasing and developing our international connectivity as we prepare to leave the European Union,” Mr Grayling said in a Written Ministerial Statement.
“The timing of the election, in particular the need to re-start a Select Committee inquiry into the draft Airports NPS means we now expect to lay any final National Policy Statement in Parliament in the first half of 2018, for a vote in the House of Commons.”
The Government confirmed its backing for a third runway at Heathrow last October.
The decision, agreed by the special Cabinet sub-committee on airport expansion, provoked a backlash from ministers, prominent Tory MPs and protest groups.
Zac Goldsmith resigned as MP for Richmond Park when ministers finally confirmed their backing for a third runway in October.
Now having regained his seat from the Liberal Democrats, he has once more vowed to oppose expansion in the House of Commons.
Senior Cabinet ministers Boris Johnson and Justine Greening are also vocal opponents of Heathrow expansion, but are allowed by Theresa May to opt out of collective responsibility and set out their alternative views.
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