British Airways slams Tory opposition to runway

LONDON (Reuters) - British Airways Chief Executive Willie Walsh criticised the Conservatives' plan to scrap a proposed third runway at London's Heathrow airport on Wednesday.

Conservative Transport spokesman Theresa Villiers said this week the party would call off controversial plans to expand Heathrow in favour of a new high-speed cross-country rail link should it win the next election.

"The latest idea that a rail link from Leeds and Manchester to Heathrow would be an adequate substitute for a third runway beggars belief," Walsh said in a speech at the Institute of London Insurance.

"Without extra runway capacity, Heathrow will never have any slack in the system and the tiniest disruption will cause knock-on delays all day," he added, saying the Conservatives were "all over the place" when it came to aviation policy.

Walsh's views echo those of business group the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Heathrow owner BAA, part of Spain's Ferrovial.

Outgoing Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly, who announced her resignation last week, called the move a "false choice" as extra capacity is needed both at airports and railways.

The Labour government is considering its response to a public consultation on expanding Heathrow, with a decision expected by the end of the year. Opinion polls suggest the centre-right Conservatives are on course to return to power at the next election, however.

Construction of a third runway at Heathrow would involve the demolition of the village of Sipson, including around 700 homes. London Mayor Boris Johnson wants to look at the possibility of building a completely new airport on the Thames Estuary.

(Reporting by John Bowker)