UK freight forwarders are urging Parliament to take an early vote on whether a third runway should be built at Heathrow Airport.
The British International Freight Association (BIFA) wants action to be taken on the recommendations of the Transport Select Committee’s report on the Airports National Policy Statement, which was published on 23 March.
BIFA said that if MPs vote to approve the recommendations made in the statement, it is predicted that construction could begin in 2020, with the third runway operational before 2030.
BIFA’s director general, Robert Keen said: “A vote in favour would effectively give planning permission for the construction of the Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport.
“That would be long overdue good news for our 1,500 member companies who have been dismayed over the ongoing delay on such a huge issue.
“We should not forget that the government gave its backing to the development of a new runway at Heathrow in October 2016.”
Keen said the UK’s freight forwarding community – the engine of Britain’s international trade – believes a parliamentary vote in favour would be “massive sign” the UK is a confident, outward-looking trading nation.
He added: “Our message to government has not changed: It really is well beyond time for action to be taken on this matter.
“A vote in favour would effectively give planning permission for the construction of the Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport.”
