Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay welcomed the findings of the Davies Commission Report, released today.
Commenting Steve said,
“I am very conscious of the impacts that a third runway will have for residents in the Heathrow area. However, I have to recognise the benefits that this news will bring to Cornwall.
A third runway at Heathrow will provide additional slots for regional airports and Newquay Airport will stand a very good chance of servicing this route again. Heathrow remains the business hub and the connection to the rest of the world and as such represents a critical part of the connectivity that Cornwall needs to prosper. I have lobbied hard for expansion at Heathrow as a catalyst for growth in Cornwall and so I am delighted with the result.
It is imperative that these findings are now not lost in years of political wrangling, but that work proceeds as quickly as possible. Cornwall cannot afford to wait decades for the increased connectivity. I was pleased that at Prime Minister’s Questions today David Cameron committed that the government would reach a decision by the end of this year.
The report mentions the wider economic benefits that a runway at Heathrow would bring compared to a runway at Gatwick. Again, this is based on the international connectivity that Heathrow provides. It is also heartening that the commission took regional issues into account and recognises that air travel should be at the heart of our integrated transport system. Regional development across the UK must remain critical in transport policy decision making, it cannot just be about the best interests of the constituencies involved in the South East, but must rather be about the economic benefits for the whole country.
I will continue to fight hard to make a new service to Heathrow a reality for Newquay Airport.”