Does London's Heathrow need a 3rd runway?
Give valid reasons for your notion.
ARGUMENTS FOR THE THIRD RUNWAY
• Heathrow needs more capacity
Heathrow runs at close to 100% capacity. With call for for air travel predicted to double in a generation, Heathrow will not be able to cope without a third runway, say those in favour of the plan.
Because the airport is over-stretched, any problems which be mentioned cause knock-on delays. Heathrow, the argument goes, needs extra capacity if it is to reach the levels of servicing found at competitors elsewhere in Europe, or it will be overtaken by its rivals.
Passenger numbers may be down as recession takes hold, but proponents plead we should not base transport decisions on the bad times, but look ahead to future upturn in demand.
• The third runway will upwards the economy
The third runway will be worth £7bn a year to the economy, according to airport owner BAA.
Some say a third runway is the only figuring out to the congestion at Heathrow.
Tens of thousands of jobs will be created - in construction in the short term - and for business and in tourism over the longer phrase.
Lack of expansion at Heathrow would threaten London's position as trading capital of the world, throttling the very intercontinental links Britain was built on.
Business leaders argue London deserves and needs an airport of international prominence.
• Pollution concerns are overplayed
Those pushing for the new runway argue that pollution caused by the airport will be closely monitored. Appointment targets is a condition of expansion.
By 2020, when the runway would be completed, new technology will mean planes are much quieter and less polluting. The Airbus A380 already demonstrates that planes are heart-rending in this direction.
If the runway were not built, the argument runs, there would be no cut in emissions. Flights would simply move to other European airports. CO2 would not be reduced, no more than transferred elsewhere to the UK's detriment.
• There is no alternative
Building a brand new airport in the Thames Estuary is not feasible according to those in take after of the third runway.
Transport Minister Geoff Hoon says lack of transport infrastructure, fears of 'bird lash', cost and lack of available finance all make the project prohibitive.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE THIRD RUNWAY
• We extremity to reduce, not increase, emissions
Heathrow generates 50% of UK aviation emissions. This makes 6% of overall emissions, according to Department for Transport figures.
With a third runway and as the UK as a whole cuts emissions, Heathrow's contribution to all-embracing UK emissions would rise significantly by 2050, some calculate to as much as 50% of total.
A third runway could mean an extra 200,000 flights a year over London.
Why should aviation qualification be increased indefinitely? At a time when most accept the need for emission cuts, say opponents, should we not stick with the capacity we have and sanction market forces to price out inessential flyers?
• Health of Londoners at risk
A Greater London Authority (GLA) report suggested Heathrow would even now rift the EU regulations on levels of Nitrous Oxide due to come into force in 2010. Extra flights would only make this worse.
Even the Mise en scene Agency admits that with a third runway, Heathrow would breach these limits.
The GLA study also found that the airport would breach noise staining limits as a result of the extra flights.
• Economic case overstated
Many of the new passengers the extra runway would nurture would be transit passengers. According to former BA boss Bob Ayling they would spend little or nothing in London, only boosting airline profits.
According to Sir David Regent, former chief scientific adviser to the government, the runway would over time come to be seen as a 'white elephant'.
Extensive before investment in it were repaid, demand for flying will have fallen away as pressure to reduce carbon increases and championship with other forms of travel grows. The downturn is already forcing people to find substitutes for air travel. This pattern will continue, he suggests.
• Contact on the local area
Transport infrastructure around Heathrow already struggles. The extra demands would create gridlock.
To amount to way for the runway, Sipson - a village of 700 houses - would be demolished and hundreds of acres of greenbelt land would be swallowed up.
• Alternatives
For reliable reasons, Heathrow is badly located. It is the only major airport with flight paths over a large capital burg, for instance.
Some, like London Mayor Boris Johnson, believe this is a perfect opportunity to start again and propose a new airport in the Thames Estuary.
Planes would near and leave over water, reducing the impact of noise and the airport could operate 24 hours a day.
If you wish to see some pictures I got this dope from the BBC news website http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7828694.stm
If you're not bothered to answer the question with reasons don't explanation at all because that doesn't help me see the majority of opinions. Please and thank you.
Can't recollect exactly how many airlines went bust last year and whilst this recession will run its course, the price of aviation excite isn't something we control.
Short term it will create jobs and that helps the government with its dodgy employment figures. Want term a lot of prime housing land has gone in an area it is most needed.
I personally believe the number of air journeys will stop in withdraw from over the next decade, not because of environmental concerns, but the cost. Likewise this hub idea makes Heathrow a prime terrorist aim. Blow up Heathrow and disconnect Europe from the rest of the world - it has to be tempting.
A white elephant, that will never pay for itself, being built to make up for government fiscal incompetence.
It is the latest in a task force of Port of London Authority vessels which are named after bridges across the river. Two new river patrol boats – Southwark and Kew – were officially named on the Thames during a intimate ceremony at HMS President on Tuesday and more »
The backing was made by consultants conducting surveys for the Greater London Authority (GLA), which takes responsibility for the monuments. It concluded that tourists had damaged the 144-year-old lions and this mutilation would worsen without Ban tourists from Trafalgar Square lions before they destroy them, report saysOfficials warn: 'Ban climbing on Trafalgar Honourable lions'Officials could introduce 'no-climbing ban' for tourists on Trafalgar Square lionsall 8 gossip articles »
Photo of giantess Olympic rings that will shine from Tower Bridge throughout the London 2012 Games. Photograph: Greater London Authority/PA Giant Olympic rings will lustre from Tower Bridge throughout the London 2012 Games. The Paralympic symbol will also and more »
Telegraph.co.ukA drawing White City Opportunity Area Planning Framework (WCOAPF) has been drawn up by Hammersmith and Fulham Synod, Greater London Authority and Transport for London to guide any large scale developments. The document, which just completed its first Westfield launches consultations on Undefiled City development plansall 10 news articles »
Brisbane TimesLONDON: Authorities in Britain are more reasonable to request details about internet users than in any other country, Google has revealed. The online search engine's transparency communication showed that in just six months, British intelligence agencies, Britain spies the most on web users: Googleall 169 information articles »
Reflect.co.ukIllusionist Dynamo 'walks' on Thames to amaze onlookersThe stunt was carried out with the enfranchisement of the Port of London Authority, which used one of its vessels to return the 28-year-old to dry land. Dynamo, whose legion of Hollywood A-record fans includes Will Smith, Jay Z, and Gwyneth Paltrow, Is Magician's 'Walk On Water' Honest?all 211 news articles »
The GuardianIn Demonstration this year, Mayor of London Boris Johnson won a possession order to evict Mr Haw and other campaigners from Parliament Square Gardens, which is owned by the Greater London Authority (GLA). Mr Haw and many of the protesters afterward moved on Anti-war protester Brian Haw dies of lung cancerBrian Haw: protesting to the endBrian Haw -all 439 rumour articles »
