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Tuesday, 20th January 2009
The Government has given the go-ahead to build a third runway and sixth terminal at Heathrow. This news comes after recent lobbying from the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group in support of the expansion.
Commenting on this decision, Claire Prosser, policy executive for the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group, said: “We are pleased that the Government has acknowledged the importance that Heathrow’s expansion has to the economy in the South East and UK plc as a whole.
“Heathrow plays a key role in businesses’ decision to stay in the Thames Valley and indeed whether to come to the region in the first place. If the expansion was not given the go ahead, it would have negatively impacted global inward investment, with the UK losing out to rival European countries.
“However, we need to approach Heathrow’s expansion with caution, as the increased capacity must be twinned with significant investment in infrastructure. Currently surface access to Heathrow is inadequate – rail is limited and unreliable and the key M4 motorway link is already overstressed.
“We are, nevertheless, encouraged that the Government has created a company to investigate the feasibility of a high speed rail link from London to Scotland. If this is also given the green light it will speed up journey times across the UK, reduce domestic flights and send a strong message to the world that we are a nation open for business.
“The decisions on airport expansion and high speed rail are critical in ensuring the UK has the infrastructure it needs to attract investment and drive our economy forward.”
End
Notes to editor
In order to lobby on behalf of Thames Valley businesses, the Chamber collated the views of the 2,500 businesses that it represents through consultation at the Thames Valley Transport Group, held in February 2008, at the Chamber councils and through the Chamber’s electronic newsletter.
We acknowledge that Heathrow is the only long-haul (London) airport with inter-connections and short-haul connections. This is not the case for other (UK) airports and it is good when these categories are together.
About the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group
The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group works with businesses across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire to help them achieve their full business potential through: meeting new customers; cutting costs; developing their workforce; influencing local decision makers; and arming them with business intelligence. Membership is available to all businesses.
For all press enquiries, please contact Marianne Creaney on 01753 870518, email: mariannecreaney@thamesvalleychamber.co.uk
Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce, National Chamber of the Year 2007,
Registered in England No 473106,
A company limited by guarantee,
467 Malton Ave, Slough, SL1 4QU.
01753 870 500
