Birmingham International Airport will get a second runway by 2016, the Government has said.
 The decision, in an Aviation White Paper, sparked outrage among residents and environ-mental campaigners, who are threatening legal action in an attempt to halt BIA's expansion. The long-awaited White Paper, launched by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling, also sounded the end of plans for a £7 billion airport near Rugby, in Warwickshire. Runway row - have your say Mr Darling said the suggestion was environmentally and economically unsustainable. Richard Moxon, chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors West Midlands, described Mr Darling ' s announcement as the "logical business choice". He added: "BIA has been the catalyst for so much of the commercial and industrial development in the region. The expansion will attract more overseas companies to the region and trigger even greater levels of inward investment." In London and the South-east of England, Mr Darling approved a second runway at Stansted Airport and gave cautious backing for a third runway at Heathrow. The White Paper lays the groundwork for BIA to handle 40 million passenger movements a year by 2030 - up from about eight million now. An additional 47,000 people living close to the airport would be affected by noise nuisance within the next two decades. The second runway will only be used by smaller, quieter aircraft and will be closed at night, Mr Darling made clear. He is also demanding improvements to the M42 and other road and rail links. Mr Darling supported the airport's plan to extend its single existing runway, improving BIA's ability to handle long-haul flights. BIA managing director Richard Heard said: "The Government's decision vindicates our submission that Birmingham is best placed to provide a sustainable solution to the Midlands' growing air travel needs." He added: "We remain extremely conscious of the impact a second runway could have on our neighbours." Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council, described the White Paper as far reaching and said it would set the direction for air transport. Sir Albert (Lab Ladywood) added: "Birmingham International Airport will build on its status as the major airport for the region, and we will seek to work in partnership with Solihull Council and other stakeholders to jointly address mitigation measures required to reduce impact on residents and on environmental quality". He said such measures would include investment in transport infrastructure - heavy rail, light rail and highways - and to minimise noise and pollution and safeguard the local environment. However, Meriden MP Caroline Spelman (Con) said: "I am appalled and disappointed that the Government has decided to build a second runway at Birmingham. "The plans are going to lead to misery for the surrounding communities and unnecessary environmental damage." Mrs Spelman said she was not convinced about the need for a second runway, pointing out that Gatwick handles 30 million passengers with one runway. She added: "It is another piecemeal transport decision. How is the West Coast Main Line going to cope with the projected 44 million passengers using Birmingham Airport? We need railways before runways. "I shall seek to mount a legal challenge on the basis of a flawed consultation." Maggie Throup, a spokeswoman for campaigner against a second runway at Birmingham said: "We now know what we are fighting and over the holiday period we will be taking stock and pulling together a comprehensive business plan for our new campaign. There are many other ways of increasing capacity without destroying green belt, people's homes and causing complete congestion throughout the borough." Rugby and Kenilworth MP Andy King (Lab), who helped lead the campaign against the Rugby option, said: "The Government listened to what people said, they listened to the business and economic arguments." | 
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