Thursday 15 January 2008
Response to Government decision on Heathrow runway
A spokesman for City of London Corporation said that today's
Government decision to give the go-ahead for the third runway at
Heathrow was, from a business perspective, both right and
necessary, if London was to remain competitive in a world
marketplace.
“Other up-and-coming financial centres are already investing in
new infrastructure, including airport capacity, as they recognise
that ease of access is a key requirement in a world of increasing
globalisation,” the spokesperson for the City of London Corporation
said.
He said that London needed a modern, efficient world-hub airport
and the new runway would ensure it could continue to have this.
“There are, of course, other requirements too: new environmental
rules governing Heathrow must be effective and enforced and new
rail links are vital to provide a more efficient and
environmentally friendly means of getting to the airport and to
reduce the potential increase in road traffic.”
The City of London Corporation, which looks after the Square
Mile business district but also supports the wider UK-based
financial services industry, said the additional runway capacity
needed be used first to reduce the existing congestion from 97% to
a figure which allowed for inevitable disruptions without bringing
the airport to a grinding halt.
“More space for existing flight slots should be the priority,
coupled with a more efficient allocation of slots giving priority
over economic destinations - with the other London airports
handling the ever-increasing
leisure traffic.”
Ends
Notes to editors
The City of London Corporation, which provides local government
services for the Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of
Britain, works nationally and internationally to maintain and
enhance the City as a world-leading international financial and
business centre. Its other special responsibilities and
services to London and the wider UK include the City of London
Police, Barbican Arts Centre, Central Criminal Court at the Old
Bailey, 10,000 acres of open space including Hampstead Heath and
Epping Forest, three wholesale food markets, two inner-London City
Academies, the City Bridge Trust, economic regeneration programmes
in neighbouring boroughs and acting as London’s Port Health
Authority. The Lord Mayor of the City of London works extensively
at home and abroad to promote the City.
Press enquiries: Greg Williams 020 7332 1455/ 07889 167 205
Release 012/Serial 68