MD1037 Direction to TfL to undertake additional work in relation to aviation issues

The Secretary of State for Transport announced in October 2010 a review of Britain’s aviation policy. A Scoping Study for the Review was published for comment in March 2011. The Department for Transport (‘DfT’) engaged with Transport for London (‘TfL’) in preparing the draft Study. The importance of aviation to London’s businesses, jobs and prosperity means that the Mayor should be fully involved as London’s elected leader, in the formulation of the new aviation policy. To help inform this, the Mayor’s report ‘A New Airport for London – Part 1’ was published in January 2011 with a second report published in November 2011. The Mayor also responded directly to the Government’s Sustainable Aviation Framework: Scoping Document, in October 2011.

As the Government’s Policy review continues, further work will be required to assess issues associated with aviation to, from or within Greater London, including but not limited to aviation capacity issues and impacts of proposals, and to engage with Government in relation to aviation policies as appropriate. This includes responding to DfT consultations. In May 2011, the Mayor directed Transport for London to undertake this work and do any matters ancillary to it (‘the Direction’). The Mayor delegated his wider powers to TfL so that it could comply with his Direction. The Direction was time limited to 31 May 2012 when it was to be reviewed. As the Government’s aviation policy is still in the process of being developed and it is anticipated that the DfT will consult on its draft policy framework in the near future, the need for the Mayor to influence aviation policy as it affects Greater London and engage with Government on aviation matters remains. The Mayor is, therefore, asked to extend the Direction for a further 12 months when it will be reviewed again and further authorise TfL to exercise certain of his powers.