Theresa May has met the chairman of the independent Airports Commission, Sir Howard Davies, to discuss the future of Heathrow Airport and its impact on Maidenhead and the local area. The Airports Commission was established by the Government in 2012 to examine the need for additional UK airport capacity and present recommendations on how this can be met. Proposals for increasing capacity at Heathrow are being considered by the Commission, and Theresa was therefore keen to meet Sir Howard Davies to discuss the issue and the potential implications for the Maidenhead area.
The Commission’s interim report, which was published in December 2013, concluded that the UK will need one additional runway in the south-east by 2030 and announced which long-term options it intends to take forward in the second phase of its work. It will consider three options – one involving a new runway at Gatwick, and two involving more capacity at Heathrow (a new runway, and the extension of the existing northern runway). In the second phase of its work, the Commission will undertake detailed analysis and consultation on each of these locations.
During their meeting, Theresa told Sir Howard that a number of jobs in the Maidenhead area depended on Heathrow Airport, including many local residents who work at the airport itself. She also mentioned the concerns that many local residents have about aircraft noise, particularly at night time, and the need to consider the environmental impacts of any proposals.
Commenting, Theresa said: “It was very useful to meet Sir Horward Davies to discuss the work of the Airports Commission. The future of Heathrow Airport is of vital importance to the Maidenhead area – for local businesses who rely on good transport links, and for local residents concerned about noise and the environment. I look forward to the Commission’s final report being published next year and I will carefully study any proposals that come forward relating to Heathrow.”
