Heathrow's Third Runway Thrown into doubt.

[Dominic]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/business-51658693

Controversial plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport have been thrown into doubt after a court ruling.

The government's decision to allow the expansion was unlawful because it did not take climate commitments into account, the Court of Appeal said.

Heathrow said it would challenge the decision, but the government said it would not appeal.

The judges said that in future, a third runway could go ahead, as long as it fits with the UK's climate policy.

The case was brought by environmental groups, councils and the Mayor of London.

There were "whoops and jumps of jubilation from environmentalists outside the court room" after the judgement, BBC environment analyst Roger Harrabin reported.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted that the government would not appeal against the ruling.

[Kili01]

I’m glad about the courts decision, was not in favour of the 3rd runway for several reasons. But LGW still has only 1 runway, but very vociferous and presumably well connected neighbours who always object to any attempt to build another runway there. It’s a pity that a former RAF airfield hasn’t been found which would be suitable to build a brand new airport on the lines of Frankfurt Airport say. Dee

[mike strand2]

I doubt somehow that the government here will take note of the environmental concerns and put a stop to the Pafos to Polis Highway.

[Dominic]

I doubt somehow that the government here will take note of the environmental concerns and put a stop to the Pafos to Polis Highway.

How is that bad for the environment? Anything that cuts down on queues is good for the environment.

[Diocletian]

Which route do the Government want the new road to Polis to follow?

[Paul]

They should build a new runway at Gatwick.
This would reduce the number of aircraft flying over London as they have to fly in from the east so as to fly into the prevailing wind.
Also if an aircraft had a problem then it would not have to fly over London.
Think of all of the houses under the flight path and what the extra aircraft using the new runway will be like for them.
only a few weeks ago a dead body was found that had landed in a garden in London from an aircraft it was a stow away that had come out of the wheel well!

[WHL]

Stanstead is surrounded by fields , served by motorways and near London, win win

[Cheshire Lad]

Gatwick is surrounded by fields, served by a motorway network, near London....AND has its own mainline station, direct into theCapital.

A very very underrated airport

CL

[WHL]

Gatwick is surrounded by fields, served by a motorway network, near London....AND has its own mainline station, direct into theCapital.

A very very underrated airport

CL

Personally I avoid Gatwick, hotchpotch of an airport, and for anyone wanting to travel to north London, the journey around the m25 is a nightmare.

[Dominic]

Which route do the Government want the new road to Polis to follow?

Start here, and read part 2 as well:

https://www.paphoslife.com/blog/polis-motorway-part-1

[Jim B]

They should really grasp the nettle and build a completely new airport in the Thames Estuary with a high speed rail link into London. Heathrow is a jumble of an airport, London needs something like Schipol which was built on reclaimed land.

Jim

[The Aquila]

They should really grasp the nettle and build a completely new airport in the Thames Estuary with a high speed rail link into London. Heathrow is a jumble of an airport, London needs something like Schipol which was built on reclaimed land.

Jim

Wasn’t that was Boris was proposing several years ago? If it happens and becomes anything close to Schipol it will a great result.

Also, why not spend the money on expanding and upgrading some local airports so they can handle the larger, more economical aircraft to save having to drive to any major airport?

[Diocletian]

Since it was the Governments own Climate Legislation that scuppered the runway plan. What are the odds on the Government now changing the Legislation to allow their plans to improve the road network in all manner of locations to proceed. If memory serves me, Boris was against the 3rd runway but is determined to improve infrastructure in the North and other areas. HS2 is a waste of billions but has been approved however, the environmental lobby will be in overdrive to stop anything else.

[Jim B]

Ted Heath proposed a new airport at Maplin Sands, Foulness in the seventies. The environmentalists put a stop to it.

Jim

[harveywinning]

Gatwick has a spare runway which could bought into use comparatively easily. They say it could be fully operational in less than four years and that they would finance this themselves and would not need any Government money - unlike Heathrow which would need loads of Government money, for example, to re-route roads like the M4. Stansted is another airport that says it can expand without any Government money. All it seems that they need is for the Government to give the go ahead. It might not be that easy however with all the red tape involved.

[mike strand2]

Obviously no environmentalists here it seems!

[Paul]

It's no good building an airport in the Thames Estuary It's a flood plain area look at this.
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Map ... _233154090

[Jim B]

It's no good building an airport in the Thames Estuary It's a flood plain area look at this.
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Map ... _233154090

Schipol was built on reclaimed land and has six runways; in fact there are records of a sea battle held on the spot where the airport is located.
I'm sure the Dutch would help us out.

Jim

https://www.codart.nl/guide/agenda/battle-at-schiphol/

[Diocletian]

It's no good building an airport in the Thames Estuary It's a flood plain area look at this.
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Map ... _233154090

Plus are there not famously unexploded ordinance ships that lay in the estuary? Would give a new meaning to a rough landing.

[mike strand2]

The UK has enough airports already! Its really not that far for anyone to reach an airport, so take a bus/train if you can't drive; 2 hours at the most!