It has been a busy few weeks, with many of our communities celebrating Navratri, Diwali and Remembrance Day. Last month we have also heard about the Government’s decision to approve a third runway, which I welcome.
The need for greater air capacity in London and the south east is acknowledged by all sides. Of the viable choices open to us, Heathrow is clearly the best - the best for jobs and investment, the best for London and for the country. This is in part because of its position, because it is already established as the premier airport for London and the south east and because of its connectivity. A new runway is estimated to bring 5,000 new jobs and give the economy a £1.5 billion boost, with new destinations being available.
I’ve supported Heathrow’s expansion from the very beginning. There is a selfish reason behind this – Heathrow has been giving Harrow’s local economy a huge boost for generations and this expansion will bring even more jobs and growth to our borough, improve our status as a global hub for trade and travel, and bring huge benefits for small businesses too. Harrow’s the best borough in London for small businesses, and everyone from our construction companies to our caterers will benefit from Heathrow’s expansion.
Infrastructure projects of this scale can be disruptive, and if the third runway goes ahead, some people will lose their homes, while many more will be affected. They have a democratic right to challenge. As politicians, we must respect them and the people who represent them. If this project is to succeed, it must pick a way through these challenges responsibly. We’ve been handed a golden opportunity here to resolve a structural crisis that has held us back for too long - we must not squander it.
