UK
Ireland
Scotland
London
Heathrow has announced an improved plan to expand the UK's hub airport that will create more than 100,000 new UK jobs and at least £100bn of UK economic benefits by connecting all of the UK to global growth.
The figures are part of Heathrow's revised expansion plans that will be submitted tomorrow to the Airports Commission. The submission follows discussions with local residents and businesses, the public, businesses around the country, passengers, airlines and elected representatives across the UK’s nations and regions. Heathrow is the UK's only hub and the only option that will connect the whole of the UK to new emerging economies, bringing jobs and prosperity to the country. It is deliverable, fundable and will create a world-class global gateway to make Britain proud. And it proposes to go further than any other large-scale UK infrastructure project in compensating for its impact on surrounding communities.
Key elements of Heathrow's proposals include:
• Every nation and region of Britain to be connected to global markets:
• More than 100,000 new jobs created. This includes 50,000 new jobs in the local Heathrow area, plus a further 20,000+ across London and another 50,000+ across the UK.
• At least £100bn of UK economic benefits, better than any other airport expansion option.
• 40 new direct, daily routes to fast growing economies such as San José, Wuhan and Kolkata.
• Doubling cargo capacity to improve UK export competitiveness. 65% of the UK's £400bn freight exports already travel via Heathrow.
• New rail access to Wales and the West through the Western mainline, the South and South West through Southern Rail Access, and the North through HS2. Total rail capacity will treble from 5,000 to 15,000 seats per hour.
• A Taskforce for Regional Connectivity will be established to develop proposals for how regional air links to Heathrow can be improved. Additional capacity will provide space for flights to cities such as Inverness, Liverpool and Newquay.
• Investment in airport infrastructure will create jobs across the UK while a new runway is being built.
(CD/MH)
