Andy Burnham withholds backing for Heathrow third runway

Andy Burnham has declined to back a proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport, saying he would wait for the results of a public consultation on the scheme before forming a view, according to the BBC.

The expansion project, which would add a third runway to the UK's busiest airport, has been estimated to cost around £33 billion. The scheme has been the subject of long-running debate over its economic benefits, environmental impact and cost.

Awaiting consultation results

Burnham's comments come as the government-backed consultation process on the runway proposal continues. Various regional and national figures have offered mixed views on the expansion, with supporters citing potential economic gains from increased capacity at Heathrow and opponents raising concerns about noise, air quality and the project's climate impact.

The BBC's report did not detail a timeline for when the consultation is expected to conclude or when a final decision on the runway's approval might be made. Heathrow expansion has been debated by successive UK governments for more than a decade, with previous plans facing legal and environmental challenges.

Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has previously commented on national infrastructure issues affecting different regions of England, though his office has not indicated a firm timeline for taking a formal position on the Heathrow scheme.