UK PM Burnham refuses to back Heathrow’s third runway project

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham declined to give his backing on Sunday to plans to build a third runway at Heathrow, saying it ⁠was a matter for ⁠people who live near London’s main airport.

The government led by his predecessor, former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announced last year ⁠it supported Heathrow’s expansion proposal, which must undergo a lengthy planning process before construction can begin.

“I think, principally, it’s a matter for London,” Burnham told the BBC in an interview at the start of the governing Labour Party’s annual conference.

“I think you’ve got to hear the voice of people there first. It’s ⁠not ⁠right for me to just jump straight in on the back of the consultation.”

Burnham’s refusal to immediately back the plan is the latest development in a long-running debate over a project that has divided politicians for two decades.

Heathrow said on the weekend that ⁠plans to open the third runway could be delayed by four years, meaning it would not be operational until 2039.

The airport operates at 99% capacity and risks being overtaken in Europe by other airports. Its two runways compare with four ⁠each ‌in ‌Paris’ Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt Airport, ⁠and six at Amsterdam’s ‌Schiphol.

Heathrow is just 15 miles (24 km) west of London. Residents have for ⁠decades complained about noise pollution, ⁠safety risks from flights over the densely populated ⁠city, and more recently, about the impact of soaring carbon emissions.