Former Transport Secretary Justine Greening has written to Midland MPs urging them to vote against a planned third runway at Heathrow Airport.

She claimed the project would damage trade at Birmingham Airport.

In a letter to the region's MPs, she said an analysis shows Birmingham Airport losing 17,098 international flights annually by 2030 as a direct result of Heathrow expansion.

And she urged them to oppose the Airports National Policy Statement (NPS), which endorses a third runway, when the House of Commons holds a vote on Monday.

She said: "You may feel it’s time to get on with it', but the 'it' is a clear downgrading of your regional airports’ connections.

"Birmingham Airport in your region is nearly 15% smaller on international flights by 2030 as a direct consequence of the Airports NPS proposal."

Justine Greening
Justine Greening

And she warned: "Heathrow Airport Limited is somewhat of a monopoly so when it gets bigger, analysis shows competitor regional airports lose out.

"It actively prevents local regional airports from growing as strongly to provide international connections on your doorstep. This negative impact is mirrored in regional airports across the country."

The Government backs Heathrow expansion but Monday’s vote could go either way.

Ms Greening will not be the only Conservative rebel. Trade Minister Greg Hands resigned on Thursday, saying he planned to vote against.

Labour is giving its MPs a free vote but the official position is to oppose a third runway.

Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, said on Thursday: “Labour opposes a third runway at Heathrow because it doesn’t meet our four tests and we are calling for a free vote for all parties on Monday.”

The SNP, who had been expected to support the plan, have indicated they might oppose it unless they receive reassurances that Scotland will benefit.

Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport

Ms Greening was Transport Secretary from October 2011 to September 2012. She is also a former Education Secretary and International Development Secretary.

The Government has announced that some of the new capacity created by building a third runway at Heathrow will be reserved for links to domestic airports, potentially allowing airports such as Newcastle to offer more long haul flights via London.

But Birmingham is unlikely to benefit from this, as it is too close to Heathrow to make services between the two airports viable.

Chris Grayling, the current Transport Secretary, admitted earlier this month that building a third runway at Heathrow Airport could be bad for business at Birmingham International Airport.

He said Birmingham would face “greater competitive pressure” as a result of the decision to expand Heathrow.

Jack Dromey MP

Birmingham MP Jack Dromey (Lab Erdington) said: "Britain desperately needs additional airport capacity and it makes sense that the third runway should go ahead at Heathrow.

"But that must not be at the expense of Birmingham. The emphasis should now be on developing Birmingham as a global hub airport.

"I would not therefore pose one against the other. Both Birmingham and Heathrow should be central to meeting aviation capacity in 21st century Britain."