North East England Chamber of Commerce has today welcomed the Government’s decision to back a new runway at Heathrow Airport.
Chamber Chief Executive James Ramsbotham said:
“We are absolutely delighted with the Government’s decision to move forward with expansion at Heathrow Airport. This long-awaited conclusion is a welcome one for North East England and the whole of the UK.
“As a Chamber representing 4,000 business members we have been staunch advocates of Heathrow expansion as the right option to ensure North East businesses continue to enjoy the access they need to markets around the world.
“We would now urge MPs to support this positive decision as the National Policy Statement is brought forward.
“North East England is a globally-facing, exporting region and access to the UK’s international hub airport is a vital part of that success.
“We currently enjoy excellent connectivity to Heathrow via Newcastle International Airport and the potential for a new route to Durham Tees Valley is great news.
“A green light for airport expansion allows our businesses to make investment plans safe in the knowledge that our region’s connection to Heathrow is secure and that it has the capacity needed to support future economic growth.
“In the aftermath of the EU Referendum it is more important than ever that we, as a country and a region, are globally connected. This expansion emphasises our ambition.”