Fury as Heathrow’s third runway delayed by another four years in ‘huge blow to British economy’

HEATHROW’S third runway is to be delayed by another four years — meaning it will not be up and running until 2039. The setback follows reports that PM Andy Burnham has plunged the entire project into fresh doubt after privately telling MPs he has always opposed the expansion. The airport’s £49billion enlargement — which would involve demolishing hundreds of homes and rerouting the M25 — was first approved by ex-PM Gordon Brown in 2009. It is projected to be worth £1.4billion a year to the economy and create 100,000 jobs. Reform UK Treasury chief Robert Jenrick slammed the hold-up. He told The Sun on Sunday: “This is a huge blow to the British economy. “A third runway would bring thousands of well-paid jobs — we cannot afford any more delays. READ MORE ON HEATHROW “If Andy Burnham does not pass emergency legislation to make it happen, a Reform government will.” Airport chiefs are understood to have told ministers they could not hit their deadline to have the runway operational by 2035. Heathrow still hopes to get their planning permission by 2029 — though London Mayor Sadiq Khan is among those strongly opposed, citing climate change plus noise and air pollution. Building a third runway at London’s Heathrow was first proposed in 1946. Most read in The Sun Meanwhile, Mr Burnham has reportedly told party colleagues that he has doubts over the entire project. A Labour MP told The Financial Times: “He said he’s never been in favour of Heathrow expansion, but he’s not indicated one way or another what he will do now.” A Department for Transport spokesman said: “There is no live planning application for a third runway, and we cannot comment on ongoing consultation processes or prejudice them in a way that will only delay progress. “The timeline has always been ambitious.” A spokesman for Heathrow said: “It’s right that ambitious targets were set. The sooner expansion begins, the sooner the whole UK will benefit. “Our focus has always been to secure planning permission by 2029. “Once achieved, the runway will be open within a decade — and the benefits of expansion can be felt from today.”