The decision to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport has been tentatively welcomed by the industry.

While the general consensus is that it was the correct decision, there remain uncertainties that need clarification, according to road transport representatives.

The decision to expand Heathrow was announced today (25 October) after years of what the Transport Committee described as “dithering”.

Committee chairwoman Louise Ellman MP said: “After decades of dithering, the decision has been made and it is the right one. A third runway at Heathrow is good for business, good for Britain.

“We recognise it won't be an easy journey and the government faces significant challenges. Guarantees will need to be met on noise and pollution.

"We urge the government to have the courage of their convictions and press ahead so that the timetable to deliver the additional capacity by 2030 can be delivered."

The FTA welcomed the news, and added the decision was “even more crucial to the UK’s position as a leading global trading nation” given the upcoming Brexit.

The association’s director of global and European policy Chris Welsh said: “In line with the prime minister’s Conservative Party conference speech in which she talked about the government’s vision of ‘a truly global Britain’, we need to look to markets outside Europe, in particular to emerging markets in Asia, South America and the Indian subcontinent.”

However RHA chief executive Richard Burnett called for clarification on the effects construction would have on the surrounding road network.

He said: “We need to have clarity on the plans for the additional necessary road infrastructure during construction work.  We also need to know how the timescale of the proposed work.

“Although there will be considerable long-term benefits – increased cargo etc, the immediate impact on the adjacent motorway network – the M25, M4 and M3 will also be considerable.

“The M25 in particular is already operating to maximum capacity – the addition of construction vehicles will only add to the burden.”

Kevin Richardson, chief Executive of the CILT, also called for a clear implementation strategy that would allow all of the UK to see how it would benefit from today’s decision.

He said: “The whole of the UK must benefit from this decision. The government should publish a draft National Policy Statement as soon as possible so that the UK’s airports and the airlines which they serve can see a clear strategy ahead, local authorities can plan properly for growth, and surface access providers can implement the improvements for many of the airports.”

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