§ Laura MoffattTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress is being made on the south-east second runway study; and when it will complete its work. [3169]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe South East and East of England Study (SERAS) is examining a wide range of options at existing airports and new sites. We have completed the development and initial appraisal of a long list of options at individual sites and are now considering which options to take forward to Stage 2.
Stage 2 will involve the more detailed appraisal of a number of packages of options providing differing levels of capacity. Towards the end of the study, options will be narrowed down to a short list on which there will be full public consultation before Ministers make decisions.
We expect the study to be completed towards the end of this year. Public consultation will take place following completion of the study and the Secretary of State's decisions on the fifth terminal at Heathrow.
Following the public consultation we will carefully analyse the responses and consider these as part of our comprehensive review of aviation and airports policy and looking ahead for 30 years we shall set out our conclusions in next year's White Paper.