UNIPA News(London) 19 June-The UK Government has taken a significant step toward expanding Heathrow Airport by publishing its draft Airports National Policy Statement (NPS), paving the way for the construction of a third runway. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the project as “critical to national growth” and confirmed plans to designate Heathrow expansion as critical national growth infrastructure.
The publication of the long-awaited policy blueprint marks the most substantial progress on the proposal since Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced government backing for the scheme in January. A 10-week public consultation on the draft policy has now been launched.
Two separate expansion proposals have previously been submitted to the Government. Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) is seeking approval for a 3,500-metre full-length runway, a project estimated to cost £33 billion and expected to be financed entirely by private investment. The plan would require the relocation of parts of the M25 motorway and increase the airport’s annual capacity to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers.
An alternative proposal has been put forward by hotel entrepreneur Surinder Arora, whose company advocates a shorter 2,800-metre runway that would avoid moving the motorway. However, the Government has previously indicated a preference for a full-length runway.
Under the draft policy, any expansion proposal must demonstrate how the transport network would accommodate increased passenger demand and how necessary road and rail upgrades would be delivered. The policy also requires the project to remain compatible with the UK’s legally binding climate targets, avoid creating new breaches of air-quality standards, and ensure noise levels do not exceed those recorded in 2024, with reductions encouraged where feasible.
Speaking on the proposal, Ms Alexander said Heathrow expansion was essential for national economic growth and would be treated as a major infrastructure priority within the planning process.
The project continues to attract political debate. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has previously expressed concerns that Heathrow expansion could concentrate infrastructure investment in London at the expense of northern regions of England.
Chancellor Reeves has stated that the Government aims to begin construction during the current Parliament and complete the third runway by 2035. She argued that Heathrow has underperformed as an international hub and cited the project as an example of the need to accelerate major infrastructure delivery across the UK.