Third runway at Heathrow 'won't help rest of country'

THE Government was today criticised over its plans to expand Heathrow as new research revealed a third runway will be of little benefit to most of the country.

The Oxford University study rejected the Government's claim that the runway would be Britain's main gateway to the global economy. Researchers also concluded that the need for a Heathrow stop on the main rail network should be "at the heart" of aviation policy.

The study suggests rail access to the airport for the rest of the country is being treated as an "ancillary issue".

Professor David Banister and Dr Moshe Givoni spent nine years analysing the UK aviation industry and their findings will be part of the evidence presented to the transport select committee when it meets on 25 February to discuss the government-approved third runway.

They argue that it will be of some benefit to London but offers little to the regions. The study suggests the runway would not be likely to change substantially the number of destinations served by Heathrow.

Dr Givoni said: "A third runway at Heathrow is unlikely to meet the Government's aviation policy of securing air transport with social and economic benefits at low environmental impact. This impasse can be significantly bridged if Heathrow becomes an important stop on the main rail network."