MPs will vote on a final Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) proposal later this month after the government last year backed expansion at Heathrow rather than Gatwick.
The Department for Transport (DfT) says a third runway would allow the UK to accommodate an additional 260,000 flights a year, creating an extra 16 million long-haul seats for passengers travelling from UK airports by 2040.
Under pressure Grayling, who this week has faced fresh questions over the Thameslink rail timetable farrago and even calls to resign, will present an updated vision for Heathrow in the Commons on Tuesday, the Financial Times reports, after briefing a meeting of the cabinet’s economic sub-committee.
This will include more stringent reassurances on noise, air quality and compensation for residents affected by the redevelopment following intervention by the transport select committee.
Concessions could stretch to a minimum seven-hour ban on night flights and unlimited compensation for homeowners subject to compulsory purchase orders.
Prime Minister Theresa May had been expected to give Conservative MPs a free vote on the third runway plans, but The Telegraph now reports May is considering imposing a three-line whip preventing MPs from rebelling.
It is understood Grayling will present ministers a take it or leave it scenario, with a vote to follow in the coming days to prevent MPs creating decisive factions to sway the vote.
Notable anti-Heathrow MPs include foreign secretary Boris Johnson, whose Uxbridge constituency would be significantly affected by any significant change at Heathrow.
During his stint as Mayor of London, Johnson championed an island airport in the Thames estuary, although so-called “Boris Island” has seemingly now been confined to the history books.
Labour’s headache, meanwhile, remains shadow chancellor and staunch opponent to Heathrow expansion John McDonnell, whose Hayes and Harlington constituency, like Johnson’s, would be affected by the third runway plans.
Although a successful Commons vote would be an important milestone for Heathrow expansion, the move would likely be subject to a judicial review by those local authorities affected, while Heathrow will still yet have to come up with its own detailed plan for expansion that would be subject to consultation and a planning inquiry.
A Heathrow spokesperson said the airport was seeking a positive vote on the ANPS before Westminster’s summer recess, allowing it to begin the task of delivering expansion.
DfT documents, released under FOI legislation by the CAA earlier this year, revealed nearly one million people would experience more daytime noise from 2050 if a third runway is built.
