Brief
Burnham says Heathrow third runway decision belongs to Londoners
Prime Minister Andy Burnham declined to confirm support for Heathrow’s planned third runway, urging a local consultation process.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Prime Minister Andy Burnham declined to say whether he backs the proposed third runway at London’s Heathrow Airport, stating the decision should be made by Londoners and through a formal consultation process. The comment came as the Labour Party conference opened in Liverpool on 27 September.
In a BBC interview, Burnham said, “Principally, it’s a matter for London and Londoners,” when asked if he would support the expansion. He added that he would wait for the outcome of the consultation before forming an opinion, noting it was “not right for me to just jump straight in on the back of the consultation.”
The government under former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had already endorsed the project, with former Chancellor Rachel Reeves announcing her backing in a speech that highlighted the potential creation of 100,000 jobs. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has described an expanded Heathrow as “the country’s front door” for tourists from China and India, while Economic Growth Minister Dan Tomlinson voiced strong support, citing personal reasons for his pro‑expansion stance.
The Heathrow third runway plan, which aims to secure planning permission by 2029 and construct the runway within a decade, has seen its 2035 deadline pushed back by four years. Airport officials say sticking to the original deadline set by Reeves is unfeasible. The debate over the expansion also intersects with transport policy, as earlier Felo coverage noted that the Heathrow Express could become redundant with the Elizabeth line and other rail projects offering cheaper, more frequent services.
Key facts
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the Heathrow third runway decision should be made by Londoners and through consultation (standard.co.uk)
- Former Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced support for the runway, citing 100,000 job creation (standard.co.uk)
- Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described an expanded Heathrow as the country’s front door for tourists from China and India (standard.co.uk)
- Economic Growth Minister Dan Tomlinson voiced strong support for the runway expansion (standard.co.uk)
- The Heathrow third runway plan aims for planning permission by 2029 and construction within a decade (standard.co.uk)
Background
Earlier Felo coverage highlighted that the Heathrow Express may become redundant with the Elizabeth line and other rail projects, raising questions about transport capacity amid the runway expansion.
Why it matters
The decision on Heathrow’s expansion will affect economic growth, transport infrastructure, and environmental impact for London and the UK.
What happens next
Burnham has indicated he will wait for the consultation outcome before taking a stance.
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Burnham refuses to say whether he backs third runway at Heathrow”
