UK: 'Overwhelming' case for Heathrow expansion, says commission chair

The case for Heathrow expansion is now “overwhelming”, according to Howard Davies, chair of the Airports Commission. Davies said Brexit underlined the need for a “clear strategic decision” in favour of Heathrow by ministers. The govt will choose which scheme to back Tuesday, ending more than a year of uncertainty since the Davies Commission came out in favour a third runway at Heathrow. Davies dismissed the idea of expanding both Heathrow and Gatwick – and hinted that Birmingham could be the next in line for a new runway once capacity in the south-east had been expanded. Transport secretary Chris Grayling has acknowledged that any of the 3 options on the table would be controversial but would “open up new opportunities for Britain” as it adjusted to Brexit. <br/>