MPs split over Heathrow expansion
MPs in the Black Country and Staffordshire are split on plans to expand Heathrow Airport – with some warning the move will hit the West Midlands economy.
The Government's motion backing a third runway at Heathrow was approved by a majority of 296, but Birmingham Airport has warned that its business might suffer should the expansion go ahead.
And three Black Country Labour MPs opposed the expansion on the grounds that it will have a detrimental impact on Birmingham Airport, after official figures showed there will be 17,000 fewer flights a year there by 2030.
One of them, Emma Reynolds, the Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East, said a second runway in Birmingham could boost the West Midlands economy and bring jobs, investment and growth to the area.
“Birmingham Airport is already connected to the motorway network and the West Coast Mainline which makes it one of the most easily accessible airports in the country," she said.
"This Government has yet again failed to consider the economic needs of the West Midlands region.”
Walsall South MP Valerie Vaz also voted against the runway. She said the Government had failed to demonstrate the expansion of Heathrow met four key teats: that it can effectively deliver on capacity demands; that noise and air quality issues are fully addressed; that the UK's climate change obligations are met and that growth across the country is supported.
Ms Vaz said she was concerned over a potential huge loss of passengers to Birmingham Airport.
“Many of my constituents use and also work at Birmingham Airport," she added. "Improving transport connectivity for the West Midlands is vital.
"Any expansion of a regional airport, alongside HS2, would bring much greater benefit to the people and economy of the West Midlands than an expanded Heathrow ever could.”
Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson also voted against the Heathrow expansion.
Former transport Minister John Spellar, the Labour MP for Warley, voted in favour of the move.
Speaking during the Commons debate on the issue, he said: “Aviation – across the world and into Europe – will continue and grow, so the real question is whether it will be going into Schiphol, Frankfurt or Charles de Gaulle airports, or whether we will create investment, protect the well-paid, unionised jobs at Heathrow, and create opportunities for the youngsters of the future.”
He later added: “Expanding Heathrow enjoys the support of both the business community and trade unions.
“Over 30 Chambers of Commerce have expressed their support for the expansion of Heathrow, including Birmingham and the Black Country.
“As transport minister I played a considerable role in drawing up the White Paper which recommended expanding Heathrow Airport in 2003. We have had 15 years of delays so it is right we now get on with it."
In a statement issued before the vote Birmingham Airport urged the Government to help it grow by improving transport links in the West Midlands, instead of 'focusing narrowly on connectivity to Heathrow'.
Boris Johnson, who once vowed to lie down in front of bulldozers to prevent the Heathrow expansion, missed the vote as he was in Afghanistan.
