Heathrow third runway decision delayed

The government has pushed back an announcement on whether a third runway is to be built at Heathrow until January.

The decision was expected yesterday but Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon told the House of Commons he needed more time to consider the 70,000 responses to the government's consultation on its proposals for a third runway and sixth terminal.

The Times questioned whether the delay was a sign that the government was retreating on airport expansion.

It pointed out that the consultation closed in February and the government has been analysing responses for nine months already.