Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has put out proposals for consultation which include building a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow Airport.

The government says the third runway would enable the airport to handle around 700,000 flights a year.

However local residents and green groups are expected to vehemently oppose the plans.

In 2003, the government identified the need for more runway capacity in the South East and supported further development at Heathrow. However this was conditional on strict local noise and air quality limits and on an improvement in public transport access to the airport.

Today's consultation document ’Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport’, presents the conclusions from three years of detailed analysis on how the local environmental conditions could be met.

The closing date for the public to respond to the plans is 27th February 2008.

Ms Kelly said:
"Heathrow supports 170,000 jobs, billions of pounds of British exports and is our main gateway to the global economy. But for too long it has operated at nearly full capacity, with relatively minor problems causing severe delays to passengers.

"If nothing changes, Heathrow's status as a world-class airport will be gradually eroded - jobs will be lost and the economy will suffer. London and the UK's nations and regions alike are reliant on the good international connections that the Heathrow hub provides.

"Equally, I am clear that any decision on expansion has to be compatible with meeting tough local environmental tests on noise and air quality."

A final decision will be made in 2008.