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Tories will 'do whatever it takes' to greenlight Heathrow third runway as Burnham keeps 'open mind'

From the Newshound archive · first published 4 October 2026 · last updated 5 October 2026.

Tories will 'do whatever it takes' to greenlight Heathrow third runway as Burnham keeps 'open mind'

Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith is set to pledge at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham that a future Tory government will legislate to sweep away the blockers holding back major infrastructure projects. Griffith will also vow to scrap environment agencies as part of a sweeping pro-growth platform, challenging Labour's dithering on Heathrow expansion.

Heathrow bosses aim to secure planning approval by 2029, but the third runway would not become operational until 2039 — a timeline Griffith has flatly rejected.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has suggested Heathrow's future is 'a matter for London and Londoners', and allies say he would prefer to expand Manchester Airport instead.

Airlines are already seeking 'value for money' advisers on the third runway project, signalling industry pressure is mounting regardless of which party acts.

MoreThe TimesTories pledge to scrap environment agencies and expand HeathrowGB NewsConservatives will pledge to do 'whatever it takes' to greenlight Heathrow ​third runway as Tories go 'all in for growth'LBCTories would ‘do whatever it takes’ for third runway at HeathrowThe TimesAirlines seek ‘value for money’ advisers for third Heathrow runwayThe IndependentConservatives vow to do ‘whatever it takes’ to build Heathrow third runwayEvening StandardConservatives back Heathrow expansion as Burnham keeps ‘open mind’City A.M.Heathrow and housing: Griffith pledges ‘most ambitious deregulation project’ in generation
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