Heathrow Planning Announcement is a Step Forward But Highlights Infrastructure Struggle

It is a positive step that funding of the planning application for Heathrow's third runway has been agreed, says Logistics UK, as the project has the potential to increase air freight capacity significantly and boost trade. But, as the business group's Chief Executive Ben Fletcher explains, the announcement also highlights the struggle involved in getting large infrastructure projects off the ground:

"A third runway at Heathrow will help address the significant shortage of air cargo capacity in the South East, and it is a significant step that funding for the planning application has been agreed. Heathrow Airport is the UK's biggest port in terms of value, handling over £200 billion worth of cargo every year, and increasing freight capacity should boost the economy by making international connections for UK businesses even easier.

"However, we must acknowledge the tremendous expense and risk involved in building large scale infrastructure projects in the UK. The planning application alone is expected to cost hundreds of millions of pounds, and there is still significant red tape to navigate, including CAA approvals and planning reforms, before any ground is broken.

"The third runway project will be a good test of the government's infrastructure strategy. It will become clear whether there really is a long-term strategic view of infrastructure and a genuine commitment to end the stop-start processes that have held back progress in the past."

Logistics UK is one of the UK's biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk