Third Heathrow runway 'would cost economy £5bn'

19/04/2010

By Nick Jones.

Building a third runway at London Heathrow Airport would cost the UK economy some £5 billion, a new report indicates.

According to figures from independent think-tank New Economics Foundation (NEF), the proposal would cause £2.5 billion of negative impact on the local west London community, the Daily Mail reports.

The organisation claims it has used the same economic modelling as the Department for Transport, updating key statistics such as exchange rates and fuel prices.

Report co-author Helen Kersley told the newspaper: "With such high social and environmental costs associated with runway three, the burden of proof should lie squarely with those who are in favour of the expansion.

"It's up to them to demonstrate that it is in the public interest."

The Labour party recently pledged its support for the construction of a third runway at Heathrow in its election manifesto, while the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are opposed to the plan.

Heathrow served a total of 65.9 million passengers in 2009.