Labour MPs urge third runway vote

The third runway is opposed by many residents and campaign groups

Forty Labour MPs have backed calls to put plans for Heathrow's third runway to a Commons vote.

In total 80 MPs have signed a motion from Labour MP Martin Salter asking the government not to proceed with the controversial plans.

Ministers are due to decide on the new runway, opposed by environmentalists, in January but there have been reports the cabinet is split on the issue.

Airport owner BAA says the extra runway is vital to keep Heathrow competitive.

A decision on the third runway had been expected this month but has been delayed until January.

There is widespread concern that much of the good work that the government has done on environmental issues could be undermined by this single decision Martin Salter Decision on third runway delayed Heathrow 'must meet EU targets'

Mr Salter's motion asks ministers "not to proceed with the third Heathrow runway ... and to put the matter to a vote on the floor of the House of Commons."

He said opposition to the runway had hardened since the last such motion - signed by 38 Labour MPs - in October.

"There is widespread concern that much of the good work that the government has done on environmental issues could be undermined by this single decision," he said.

'Jam packed'

Labour MP Andrew Slaughter also said there was "ever-growing opposition to Heathrow expansion and a clear view among many MPs that the government should go back and look at alternatives".

The expansion would include a new runway, allowing the annual number of inward and outbound flights to be increased to 605,000 by 2020 and 702,000 by 2030 - up from 480,000 today.

It is opposed by environmental groups as well as the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

But the head of British Airways, Willie Walsh, told the BBC last month the third runway was "critical", given the tough economic climate.

Airport operator BAA argues Heathrow is "jam-packed" and needs a third runway to remain competitive globally.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he backs a new runway "in principle" but pledged to look at "all the environmental considerations".

But there have been reports that some cabinet ministers oppose the plans.

On Sunday, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn warned that Britain could not contemplate breaching EU pollution targets and said he was looking at air quality and noise concerns "in particular" during government consultation on the plan.