UK businessmen oppose Heathrow plans

Group aims to stop third runway

A group of leading UK businessmen has come out against government plans to build a third runway at London Heathrow Airport.

The businessmen say there is no guarantee that an extra runway will ensure the airport serves more destinations.

They also claim the government has failed to make the business case for the runway and are supporting the environmentalist claim that the runway is not needed.

The Government relied on the backing of major UK industry associations, including the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), various Chambers of Commerce and the London First Group.

Its claim that the airport would serve extra destinations was backed by the BAA, owners of Heathrow as well as airlines like BA.

The open letter is signed by 13 of the country's leading businessmen.

Among them are Ian Cheshire, ceo of Kingfisher, Russell Chambers, an adviser to Credit Suisse bank, Charles Dunstone, ceo of Carphone Warehouse and David Levin, ceo of United Business Media.

The letter states: "To say that all those from the business community support the third runway is wrong" and questions the business benefits of a third runway.

It adds: "A new runway comes with no guarantee of securing a greater number of international destinations or domestic connections" and claims that alternatives to the third runway, like high speed rail, have not been "adequately explored."

Mr Cheshire told The Guardian newspaper: "The motivation is that the debate up to now has been based on the assumption that anyone who is in business must be in favour.

"What became clear is that people privately felt it (opposition) and weren't sure how to kick it off."

He said he had met Theresa Villiers, transport spokesman for the UK Opposition party the Conservatives but said his group's motives were not political.

In announcing the go ahead for the third runway in January, transport secretary Geoff Hoon told the House of Commons the airport was "critical to this country's long term economic prosperity.

"Heathrow is vital to our economy. It connects us to the growth markets of the future - essential for every great trading nation."

The decision was made despite massive opposition from residents near the West London hub, environmental campaigners, about 50 Labour MPs and Britain's two other leading political parties.

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