Let’s get airports sorted and then Brexit vote can really take off and help us connect better with the world

IN June, the British people didn’t just vote to leave the European Union. They voted for a stronger, more confident, more ambitious Britain that can compete with the very best in the world.

That’s the sort of Britain I believe in. And it’s our job in the Government to make it happen.

In our new position, Britain has to reach out to the global community, to build better connections with places such as Asia, South America and Africa.

That’s why expanding one of the South East’s major airports is right at the top of our priority list.

There are three great options on the table. A new, north-west runway at Heathrow, a second runway at Gatwick and an extension to one of Heathrow’s existing runways.

The decision we make will be the best one for Britain and for the British people. It will create thousands of jobs and apprenticeships.

It will send a clear message that we are open for business and that we welcome closer ties with countries around the world.

It will secure our future as a trading nation and one of the best connected countries on earth.

By taking decisive action, we will end decades of dithering over airports in the South East.

Heathrow’s two runways are now full and it has slipped from being the world’s busiest airport in 2008 to the sixth busiest in 2016.

Increased competition means fares could fall so holidays and business travel would be cheaper

Gatwick is also running out of runway space. If we just sat back and did nothing, every London airport would be full by 2040.

That would be a disaster for the country — which is why we are rolling up our sleeves and getting on with the job.

It is never easy making the tough infrastructure decisions needed to keep Britain moving and keep our economy competitive. But that’s what good governments do.

It is shameful that a country such as Britain should have neglected its airport infrastructure for so long.

While we haven’t built a new, full-length runway in the South East since World War Two, other countries have been overtaking us.

Competitors such as Frankfurt, Paris and Amsterdam have lots of room in which to grow and add new routes.

Since 2010, China has built or started building more than 50 new airports, including a nine-runway superhub in Beijing.

There are new mega-airports that could take business from Britain in Abu Dhabi and Doha.

And when Istanbul’s new airport opens in two years it will have six runways. The list goes on.

It is impossible to provide solutions that everyone supports.

Instead, we have to make the best decision for the country.

Last year, the Government asked for independent advice on how an extra runway might affect air quality.

We need a new runway — but not at the expense of the health of those living around the airports.

Local residents rightly also have concerns about noise.

Gatwick and Heathrow both have plans to reduce the impact on those living under the flight paths.

As a Government, we will consider all of these important factors before making a decision.

That’s why we will soon announce a runway plan that will back Britain for the long haul.

It will be a plan the whole country can get behind.

Affordable and environmentally sustainable, it will mean we can add new domestic routes while significantly boosting flights to fast-growing markets abroad.

And increased competition will mean fares could fall, which would make holidays and business travel cheaper for millions of Brits.

What the Government announced this week was a clear process that is as fast as possible, without compromising on getting things right for local communities and the whole country.

It will mean we can get spades in the ground at the earliest opportunity.

Everything from a construction company, to road hauliers, to the financial services sector, fisherman and engineers, will benefit from the boost a new runway gives Britain.

And it is not just big businesses that will benefit.

It will help small companies all over the country sell their products abroad, from Scotland to Cornwall, from Northern Ireland to Yorkshire.

As the Prime Minister has made absolutely clear, we are going to make a success of Brexit.

That means not just taking back control from Europe but connecting us to the world as part of Britain’s global future.