Heathrow third runway- a strange twist in the tail !

Having delayed the decision but finally announced conditional approval for the concept of the additional runway at Heathrow in January , the carbon emission issue once again rears its head after less than a month to threaten necessary expansion at other UK airports.

It appears now that in combination with the use of the established runways at Heathrow , a 3 runway operation at Heathrow is likely to use the UK 's agreed air transport carbon maximum almost completely by mid century. If not re examined and clarified, this would then limit use and expansion of all other airports nationally.

What a position UK government has got itself into !

Conditional approval was announced in the face of much backbench disapproval for the concept in addition to 'green'' objections. And now the approval is potentially alienating the rest of the country who overwhelmingly support the wish to use local departure points . These regional airports have their own detailed expansion plans . In fact regional airport expansion has been very much encouraged by this very government whose detailed papers and forecasts up to 2030 highlighted the enormous local benefits attached to regional air transport operations and the need to develop them further. Whose existence and success brings much local prosperity, and arguably provides a 'greener' air transport solution. This by encouraging air travel from local points requiring much less surface travel delivery distances and by reducing the need for much carbon producing surface transport volumes required to deliver customers to the hub near Hounslow. So how much of this regional asset is now threatened and how much regional customer convenience is ignored in order to maintain Heathrow as a showcase global hub?

Is this a case of another embarrassing gaff with government just not thinking it through? It confirms once again that when it comes to air transport, government really has NOT got its act together .

Tasked to manage the country ? I'm not sure I can trust them with the skill to put a hook up in my garage !!

What do you think ??