Few cases have cast more doubt on the UK’s seriousness about boosting international trade than the impasse over the expansion of Heathrow Airport.
Since the need to expand the West London hub was first suggested three decades ago, there have been false starts aplenty, not helped by an increasing reluctance of contemporary governments to avoid tough but necessary decisions for the nation’s long-term gain.
However, there are increasingly clear signals that the existing constraints of freight and passenger volumes at the UK’s biggest port by value (30% of the value of all non-EU exports) cannot be tolerated indefinitely.
A mere 15 years after an official programme for Heathrow’s expansion was first put forward in then transport secretary Alistair Darling’s 2003 White Paper, there is a green light to start the process anew. The realities of British planning mean it will still take at least another decade to benefit passengers and freight carriers, though Scottish contractors could be significantly benefitted in the meantime in a UK-wide procurement bonanza.
With SNP members conditionally supporting the plans since 2016, Parliament now needs to lift its head above the Brexit debate, even briefly, to demonstrate that the UK is open for business via a third Heathrow runway. Only by expanding the UK's aviation capacity are we giving ourselves a chance, post-Brexit, to maintain a place amongst the leading economies, and give confidence to international investors and trading allies.
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network, to whom exports and connectivity are priority issues, will continue to lobby MPs to 'green light' this vital infrastructure project at the earliest possible opportunity, unlocking growth and job opportunities.
Heathrow’s backers are predicting that Scotland will receive up to £14.1 billion in economic benefits and 16,100 new jobs should the expansion go ahead. SCC is in no doubt that an expanded, improved Heathrow would strengthen and enhance Scotland’s global connections.
Recent new direct routes to China, the US and elsewhere exemplify the magnificent progress in route development made by Scotland’s domestic airports. But it remains a fact that the vast majority of the world’s biggest ex-Europe growth markets will be accessible only via the UK hub for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, expanded capacity for Scotland-Heathrow flights should improve domestic competition to the benefit of air passengers to and from Scotland.
Also welcome is Heathrow’s decision to host a logistics hub in Scotland, with sites already being assessed. Cumbernauld’s Westfield, Rosyth Business Park, Forth Ports Rosyth and Longannet are among those in the frame.
Achieving Heathrow expansion will be complex but it remains absolutely necessary to achieve the step change required to boost the UK’s export capacity. In the coming weeks we will be urging Scots MPs to help ensure that the actual and symbolic benefits of action on Heathrow can finally achieve lift off.
Liz Cameron is chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce.
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