Have your say on whether you think a third runway should be added to Heathrow Airport (Image: Getty)
The long-standing controversy over the proposed third runway at has reignited, exposing divisions within the Labour Party.
is reportedly set to endorse the expansion, alongside proposed growth at Gatwick and Luton Airports.
However, key figures within , including Environment Secretary Ed Miliband and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, are voicing strong opposition to the plans.
Reeves is expected to argue that airport expansions are essential for economic growth, but critics, including backbench Labour MPs, contend that these developments would compromise the UK’s climate commitments.
Party leader , who voted against the third runway in 2018, now appears to support the proposal, further deepening the divide.
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Environmental advocates have strongly condemned the plans. Alethea Warrington, head of aviation at climate charity Possible, called the move a “catastrophic misstep,” highlighting the potential increase in carbon emissions.
Warrington argued that the Government should instead prioritise affordable, low-carbon alternatives like trains and buses.
Jenny Bates, a transport campaigner at Friends of the Earth, echoed these concerns, stating that the runway would worsen air pollution, increase noise for local communities, and undermine the UK’s climate commitments.
He said: “It would fly in the face of the Prime Minister’s promise to show international leadership on climate change.”
Keir Starmer voted against the third runway in 2018 but is now in favour of it (Image: Getty)
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The third runway at Heathrow secured parliamentary approval in 2018 but has faced years of delays due to legal challenges over its environmental impact and the disruptions caused by the -19 pandemic.
Currently, there is no Development Consent Order application for the project, leaving its future uncertain.
In the meantime, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is weighing decisions on other airport expansions. is awaiting approval to bring its emergency northern runway into regular use, with a decision due by February 27.
Luton Airport’s bid to increase its passenger capacity cap also awaits a verdict by April 3.