Heathrow third runway gets go-ahead
Updated on 15 January 2009
Update: Transport secretary Geoff Hoon confirms plans for Heathrow's expansion.
The prime minister defended the expected decision, claiming economics need to be balanced with environmental concerns.
The decision, which will destroy the nearby village of Sipson, will come despite fierce opposition to the airport expansion from within the Labour party, opposition parties and environmental groups.
The government is expected to green light a third runway at Heathrow within the next half hour.
