Third Heathrow runway a “big step forward” for Wales, says Andrew RT Davies

The leader of the Welsh Conservatives today attended a visit to Heathrow Airport to lend his support for a third runway – an expansion he described as “vital” for Wales and the UK to realise its global ambitions.

The decision on whether to grant a third runway to Heathrow – the UK’s largest airport – is expected to be made this autumn.

If the capacity building project is given the go-ahead, champions of the proposed runway say it’ll help UK businesses expand and stay competitive through increased connectivity to the rest of the world.

Plans for a new rail link to better connect South Wales with Heathrow – known as the ‘Heathrow spur’ – are also regarded by proponents as a potential boon to the Welsh economy.

Andrew RT Davies was this morning taken on a guided tour of Heathrow Airport, where he met with its Chief Executive John Holland-Kaye and visited a number of sites including terminals, a control tower and an airfield.

During the visit, Mr Davies set out his reasons for getting behind project. He said:
“Strengthening connectivity to the outside world is vital if Wales is to make inroads into the international market.

“Now more than ever Wales and Britain need to be globally facing, and the development of a third runway in Heathrow would be a big step forward towards achieving this.

“It will also serve to help the economy grow while creating thousands of jobs across the country, and secure a lasting legacy for the entrepreneurs and innovators of Wales’ future.”