Leading property figures have signed an open letter urging the government to fast-track the expansion of Heathrow airport.
The letter, co-ordinated by campaign group Let Britain Fly, calls for an early parliamentary vote by summer 2016 and for the government to back the Airports Commission’s recommendation that a third runway be built at the airport.
Signatories include Derwent chief executive John Burns, Canary Wharf Group chief executive George Iacobescu, Henderson Global Investors chief executive Andrew Formica, British Land chief executive Chris Grigg, Argent managing partner David Partridge, SEGRO chief executive David Sleath and Bilfinger GVA chief executive Rob Bould.
The letter said: “After nearly three years examining the evidence the view of the Airports Commission is unequivocal: Britain needs airport expansion and the best solution is to build a new runway at Heathrow. We back this recommendation and believe the government must now provide a swift and positive response to the commission’s final report.
“Airport expansion is about more than where to build a new runway – it is about securing long-term prosperity and creating jobs and growth for future generations,” the letter continued. “The Airports Commission has concluded that Heathrow expansion could deliver up to £147bn in economic benefit and 70,000 new jobs.”
For more news and analysis on the Airports Commission’s report, click here.
