Business and political leaders from the West Midlands have written to Prime Minister Theresa May urging her to support the growth of a competitive network of airports rather than expanding in the South East.

Among the signatories of the letter are the chief executives of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Marketing Birmingham and Birmingham Airport as well as MPs and educational leaders.

The Government is due to make a decision soon on whether to expand airport capacity in the South East - expected to be straight choice over whether to add a third runway to Heathrow or a second at Gatwick.

Earlier this week, it emerged the Prime Minister was considering the possibility of expanding Birmingham Airport as a way of tackling congestion in the skies above London.

The letter said: "We urge the Government to consider the impact on all UK airports when making its decision on airport capacity in the South East, ensuring that any such decision allows for a competitive market in which airports can act as drivers for local growth in their regions.

"Allowing a third runway at Heathrow would re-forge its monopoly, undermining the benefits brought by the break-up of the BAA, and restrict the growth of direct flights to and from our great regional cities."

The letter highlights Birmingham Airport's role in maximising the benefits of HS2 which will have a station there, stating that: "With HS2's arrival in ten years, the airport will become the UK's first high-speed connected airport and its catchment area will be dramatically enlarged into central London, giving it an increasingly national role."

Commenting on the growth of the Midlands Engine, the signatories state the region could grow up to £34 billion by 2030 if the Government continues to make decisions in view of rebalancing the UK economy.

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: "Birmingham Airport's growth and our region's growth go hand in hand, with the airport plugging our businesses into global opportunities and attracting inward investment.

"We want a decision for the South East's airport capacity that does not undermine direct connectivity to the Midlands Engine and supports a competitive network of airports, not a larger hub."

Airport chief executive Paul Kehoe added: "A vibrant Birmingham Airport is vital to the growth of our region. Expanding Heathrow could threaten to stall the Midlands Engine.

"In contrast, a competitive network of airports would support the continued growth of our region's connectivity and would maximise the benefits of HS2."

The letter and signatories in full

Dear Prime Minister,

We write to welcome your backing of the Midlands Engine and to ask you to ensure that the region is not damaged by the forthcoming decision on extra runway capacity in the South East.

The West Midlands is a significant part of the Midlands Engine, an economy worth £222 billion and where, in 2015, private sector jobs grew three times faster than in London and the South East.

The West Midlands is home to Birmingham, the UK's second largest city and to Birmingham Airport, the third largest UK airport outside London.

Birmingham Airport plays an integral role in the transport strategy of the Midlands, providing international connectivity to the region's flourishing manufacturing sector, and supporting the West Midlands' status as the leading export centre of the UK outside London and the South East.

The connectivity provided by Birmingham Airport contributed £1.1 billion GVA and over 25,000 jobs to the West Midlands economy in 2014.

The airport is a key driver of jobs creation and economic growth and its contribution to the economy is expected to increase as its connectivity increases.

As of this July, the airport has experienced 17 consecutive months of passenger growth including 32.8 per cent long haul growth compared to July 2015.

Birmingham Airport is also central to maximising the benefits of HS2. With HS2's arrival in ten years, the airport will become the UK's first high-speed connected airport and its catchment area will be dramatically enlarged into central London, giving it an increasingly national role.

To support this continued growth in our region and to maximise the benefits of HS2, it is vital that the Government supports a competitive network of airports across the UK rather than an expanded hub in the South East.

Allowing a third runway at Heathrow would re-forge its monopoly, undermining the benefits brought by the break-up of the BAA, and restrict the growth of direct flights to and from our great regional cities.

The Midlands Engine could grow up to £34 billion by 2030 if the government continues to make decisions in view of rebalancing the UK economy.

We therefore urge the Government to consider the impact on all UK airports when making its decision on airport capacity in the South East, ensuring that any such decision allows for a competitive market in which airports can act as drivers for local growth in their regions.

Yours sincerely

Paul Faulkner, chief executive, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Paul Kehoe, chief executive, Birmingham Airport

Steve Brittain, managing director, BSA Technologies

Jonathan Browning, chairman, C&W LEP

John Callaghan, principal, Solihull College

Simon Chapman, managing director, Yee Group

Rick Grain, founder, Effigy Blinds

Colin Leighfield, Director, BE Wedge

Tim Pile, executive chairman, Cogent Elliot

Neil Rami, chief executive, Marketing Birmingham

Bernard Shepherd, consultant, Clark Brookes Turner Carey Solicitors

Joan Smith, director, Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Stewart Towe, chairman, Black Country Consortium (LEP)

Chris Wheeler, director, Auditel

Adrian Wright, president, Black Country Chamber of Commerce

Ian Austin, MP for Dudley North

Jeremy Lefroy, MP for Stafford

Karen Lumley, MP for Redditch

Khalid Mahmood, MP for Perry Barr

Steve McCabe, MP for Selly Oak

James Morris, MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis

Gisela Stuart, MP for Edgbaston

Mike Wood, MP for Dudley South

Valerie Vaz, MP for Walsall South

James Carver, MEP for the West Midlands

Anthea McIntyre, MEP for the West Midlands

Sion Simon, MEP for the West Midlands

Daniel Dalton, MEP for the West Midlands

Baroness Burt of Solihull

Baroness Kramer