"Ministers have backed a plan for a third runway at Heathrow to be in operation by 2035 as they opted for the longer, costlier runway drawn up by the airport's owners as the basis for its expansion. The 33bn scheme for a 2.2-mile (3.5km) north-western runway crossing the M25 motorway was picked in preference as the most credible and deliverable option, ahead of a rival plan submitted by the Arora Group."
"The transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, said the choice would enable swift progress to full planning permission by 2029, providing the runway met the government's four tests, including environmental, economic, noise and air quality considerations. She said: We're acting swiftly and decisively to get this project off the ground so we can realise its transformational potential for passengers, businesses, and our economy sooner."
"Alexander said that Heathrow Airport Ltd's scheme was more deliverable principally due to the relative maturity of its proposal, including the plans to move and rebuild the section of the M25 under the runway. She said that despite the huge motorway works, estimated to cost 1.5bn alone, the rival Arora (Heathrow West) scheme would also have had a considerable impact on the M25, as well as needing more homes to be bought."
Ministers selected Heathrow Airport Ltd's 33bn proposal for a 2.2-mile north-western runway that crosses the M25, targeting operation by 2035. The chosen scheme was judged the most credible and deliverable option, with plans to move and rebuild the section of the M25 under the runway and motorway works estimated at 1.5bn. A rival Arora proposal offered a shorter, 1.7-mile runway farther east for 23bn without moving the M25. The transport secretary said full planning permission could be sought by 2029 if four tests on environment, economy, noise and air quality are met, and a public consultation will follow.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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