Sir, It is not right to suggest (“Long Grass”, leading article, Nov 3 ) that because of Britain’s sclerotic planning procedure, it could be years before construction of the chosen solution for extra airport capacity begins.
What is clearly sclerotic is our transport policy-making process. With the admirable exception of HS2, almost every area tells the same story. Take the National Networks National Policy Statement (for our strategic road, rail and rail freight interchange network), which was supposed to be published for consultation in autumn 2009 but has still to see the light of day.
The planning process for national infrastructure projects has recently been changed and, while not yet fully fit for purpose, is starting to work well and is being completed within