Heathrow runway decision delayed until 2009

[muriel_volestrangler]

The government's decision on whether to build a third runway at Heathrow has been postponed until January 2009.

A consultation was expected to report on whether work on the runway - which would be ready by 2020 - should begin this year. The scheme would take Heathrow's capacity from 480,000 flights a year to more than 700,000.

Today, the transport secretary, Geoff Hoon, said the decision had been delayed to allow proper consideration of the evidence.

In its 2003 aviation white paper, the government expressed support for a Heathrow expansion and for a third runway. The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, residents, local councils and conservationists are against the move, while big businesses and airlines support the government's position.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/dec/04/heathrow-airport-expansion-decision

Hooray! For once, New Labour seems to have cold feet about taking the big business line.