UK GOVERNMENT TO HOLD AIRPORTS INQUIRY

News that the UK Government is likely to announce the creation of an independent commission to consider options for future airport capacity in South East England is, on balance, to be welcomed.

The options would seem to be as follows:

• Restrict capacity/demand manage air travel favoured by Green Party and environmentalists
• Restrict capacity in South East with new high speed rail link to regional airports in Midlands/North
• Heathrow Hub with expanded capacity
• Additional capacity at Gatwick and/or Stanstead
• Additional capacity at other existing airports in South East
• New Thames Estuary airport, for which there are a number of different options

It is important that the above options are considered in the context of the need for integrated transport solutions, including rail access, and the legal requirement for Strategic Environmental Assessment.

Since this blog was posted, The Independent on Sunday has revealed that a mystery consortium is drawing up plans for a new, four-runway airport close to Heathrow, with sites in Berkshire and Oxfordshire potentially in the frame.