Heathrow runway decision delayed

By Tim Castle

LONDON (Reuters) - The government has postponed until January a decision on whether to build a third runway at Heathrow, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said on Thursday.

A decision on the hotly debated project had previously been promised for the end of 2008.

Hoon, appointed in October, said he wanted to give proper consideration to 70,000 responses to a consultation on expanding the airport, a project which green pressure groups and local residents oppose on noise and environmental grounds.

"I know that there are strong views across a range of interests," he said in a written statement to parliament.

"I will ensure that I give proper consideration to the evidence before me and will therefore take more time before making an announcement to the House (of Commons), in January."

Heathrow operator BAA welcomed the move.

"Given the complexity of the issues involved, we understand why the government is taking further time to consider these matters," a spokesman said.

The Conservatives have said they would not expand Heathrow and would build high-speed rail links instead should they win the next election.