A speedy Decision on a Third Runway for the South East of England

`A swift and decisive decision is important because of the Dire Economic Consequences we were all warned about should the United Kingdom vote for Brexit.

This decision is long overdue. The Airports Commission, set up to look into airport capacity in south-east England, published its findings in favour of Heathrow on 1 July 2015.

Since then, the final decision has been delayed by David Cameron's government.

David Cameron's Government has shown a lack of leadership by failing to make a decision on how to expand airport capacity — a failure which could hurt the economy, Britain’s biggest business lobby group, the CBI, has said.

Dithering and delay must be avoided at all costs by ministers who are urged to ‘act swiftly’ and ‘grasp the nettle’ in building a new runway at whichever location the Government’s airports ‘tsar’ Sir Howard Davies recommends.

But failure to act quickly could cost the UK economy between 0.2 and 1 per cent of the nation’s wealth or GDP by 2050 - or between £42billion and £214billion over the next 60 years, depending on which site is chosen for expansion, says the CBI, report.

The economic consequences of the Government not acting upon the Airports Commission's recommendations include significant lost productivity and inward investment.

Gatwick, the West Sussex airport, recently announced a £200m programme of investment until 2021.

Projects include expansion of both the north and south terminal departure lounges and immigration halls, upgrading shopping facilities, and extra aircraft parking stands.

The airport said it would bring total investment over the next five years to £1.2bn.

Heathrow said there were significantly greater benefits to its proposal to build a third runway.
"The Airports Commission disagree with Sadiq Khan and Gatwick," said a spokesman.
"Brexit makes the Commission's conclusion that, with Heathrow expansion, 'the benefits are significantly greater, for business passengers, freight operators and the broader economy', even more persuasive (This is Money)

Failure to act quickly could cost the UK economy between 0.2 and 1 per cent of the nation’s wealth or GDP by 2050 - or between £42billion and £214billion over the next 60 years, depending on which site is chosen for expansion a recent report states.

The CBI's President, Paul Drechsler, who was previously chief executive of construction firm Wates Group, said: “More than ever before, it is absolutely critical that the government sends a signal, loud and clear, that the UK is open for trade with markets across the globe.
“Building a new runway in the southeast is a key decision for the long-term future of our economy and country, and will demonstrate to, and reassure, Britain’s workers, makers, exporters and investors that the UK is open for business.

Last year the CBI showed that delays to getting a decision on airport expansion by 2030 could see the UK lose out on over £30 billion in lost trade with the BRIC economies alone.
“Our new analysis shows that our European rivals with spare capacity will be gaining at the UK’s expense, cashing in on their own thriving connectivity, if we fail to get on and build a new runway. By 2030, better capacity will see German trade with the BRIC economies alone grow by an additional £15 billion, and French trade grow by £7.5 billion – trade that could and should be coming here.
“We could still avoid this scenario, if the new prime minister makes a decision with a clear timetable for action immediately after entering Downing Street, so that construction can begin by 2020.”
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"Brexit makes the Commission's conclusion that, with Heathrow expansion, 'the benefits are significantly greater, for business passengers, freight operators and the broader economy', even more persuasive

I THEREFORE PETITION, THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, THERESA MAY, THE PRIME MINISTER AND HER GOVERNMENT to make a SPEEDY decision on the construction of a Third Runway for the South East of England, Heathrow or Gatwick, before the end of this Parliamentary Session for the benefit of the Ordinary People of this United Kingdom and her Economy as recommended by the Expert Opinions cited above.