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London Mayor hits out at Government over runway delay

Created on
19 October 2016

Sadiq Khan today criticised ministers for delaying the final decision of where to build a new runway in the South-East for up to a year.

The Mayor accused the Government of 'causing unnecessary uncertainty for British businesses already struggling with Brexit.'

His comments came after Downing Street postponed a final decision on expanding Heathrow or Gatwick until late 2017.

The decision means Article 50 - the formal move triggering Britain's exit from the European Union - is set to be taken before any final decision on airport capacity in the South East.

The Mayor said: "Now, more than ever, businesses need certainty and stability in order to make investment decisions and to keep jobs in Britain. Instead they are getting dither and delay."

Speaking at Mayor's Question Time, Sadiq Khan called on the government to commit now to building an extra runway at Gatwick, which he said 'can be built quicker, cheaper, and without the years of legal and political battles that Heathrow clearly faces.'

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said:

"The Government’s decision to yet again delay deciding where to build a new runway will cause unnecessary uncertainty for British businesses already struggling with Brexit.

"Now more than ever, businesses need certainty and stability in order to make investment decisions and to keep jobs in Britain. Instead they are getting dither and delay.

“Now it's time to get on with building a new runway at Gatwick, which can be built quicker, cheaper, and without the years of legal and political battles that Heathrow clearly faces."

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