Theresa May has called on Heathrow bosses to rule out any expansion at White Waltham Airfield, following recent speculation that plans are being drawn up to locate a new airport at the site near Maidenhead. Reports have suggested that Heathrow Airport Holdings have considered proposals for a new four-runway airport at White Waltham as part of their plan for the future of airports around London. Theresa has called on Heathrow’s Chief Executive Officer, Colin Matthews, to rule out any new airport at White Waltham.
A recent report in Aviation Week revealed that Heathrow Airport Holdings “has been quietly exploring options for future airport configurations and two new locations never previously examined for the siting of a major new airport”, one of which is White Waltham Airfield. A document drawn up for the company suggests building a new four-runway airport at White Waltham as a replacement for Heathrow.
The plan is reportedly being considered by Heathrow in advance of their official submission to Sir Howard Davies’ Airports Commission, which was set up by the Government to recommend options to maintain the UK’s status as an international aviation hub.
Theresa has written to Mr Matthews, stating that there would be “disbelief” at the proposal among local residents and calling on him to rule out any plan involving a new airport at White Waltham.
Commenting, Theresa said: “If true these reports are deeply worrying. Heathrow Airport Holdings should reject this proposal now and put people’s minds at rest. We’ve already been through this in 2003 when the last Government suggested expanding capacity at White Waltham for business travel, and it needs to be ruled out again. The Government rightly set up Sir Howard Davies’ Airports Commission to consider sensible options for maintaining the UK’s hub status. His interim report will be published at the end of 2013 and I will closely monitor his recommendations.”
