Gatwick bosses will make last-ditch plea to Theresa May warning of ‘risks’ of expanding Heathrow with third runway

BOSSES at Gatwick are set to fire a last-ditch warning to Theresa May warning her over the “risks” of approving a third runway at Heathrow.

They will reportedly send a letter to the cabinet committee on airport expansion, chaired by the Prime Minister, before it makes a final decision this week.

A report on say executives at the airport south of London will tell ministers on Monday that they should choosing to expand capacity there instead of at its rival.

It comes after the Government dropped the strongest hint yet that it will choose to build a new runway at Heathrow last week.

Mrs May revealed she will suspend collective Cabinet responsibility and allow her own ministers to publicly oppose the verdict.

Given that several in the Cabinet are against Heathrow, such as Boris Johnson and Justine Greening, and none have openly criticised expanding Gatwick, the west London site seems likely to be approved.

An insider told Sky that Gatwick has not given up hope of influencing the Cabinet sub-committee, which is due to make a decision on Tuesday morning.

They said: “We will focus on the benefits of competition, the relative cost of the two airports’ plans, and the straightforward and clear path to delivery.”

“Heathrow’s project carries considerable planning, financing and construction risks against Gatwick’s very modest profile in respect of these risks,” they added.

The decision will be followed by a year-long public consultation and then a final vote in the House of Commons.

Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate has argued his airport represents the best option, saying: “Airport expansion has been in a holding pattern for decades.

“We are finally getting to the point of decision again. The choice is crystal clear – growth at Gatwick or Groundhog Day at Heathrow.”

The Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has acknowledged whatever the decision it will result in “challenge and opposition”.

But he said they would “open up new opportunities for Britain” as it adjusts to Brexit.

Mr Grayling said all three options for expansion were still in play: “Genuinely it’s going to be a decision on Tuesday and it’s a difficult one, because all three of these are well-crafted proposals and any one of them could bring benefits to the UK.”

Speaking to BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show he added: “The question here is that we have to, in my view, take a decision that is in the interest of our nation.

“What delivers us the best connectivity, the right approach for the future at a time when we want to grow international trade links, open up new opportunities for Britain.

“Of course there will be opposition, of course there will be challenge whatever we do.”

A spokesman for Heathrow said: “Heathrow received a unanimous and unambiguous recommendation for expansion from the independent Airports Commission following a two-and-a-half year, 20m study.

“It confirmed that the benefits are significantly greater, for business passengers, freight operators and the broader economy than any other option and that all passengers will benefit from enhanced competition.

“The Commission also set out conditions to expansion including restrictions on night flights, controls on air pollution and noise, which Heathrow has accepted and, in most cases, exceeded.

“As we approach Brexit, only Heathrow expansion will connect all parts of the UK to the new trading routes beyond Europe.

“We stand ready to deliver soon as we get the green light from Government.”