Heathrow Airport’s long-debated expansion is supported by more than half of locals, according to new research.

Out of the 10,000-plus UK adults surveyed by Populus throughout July, 51 per cent supported a third runway at Heathrow, with 35 per cent against the expansion. The remaining 14 per cent neither supported nor opposed the proposal.

The poll also found that overall, 59 per cent of them felt positive about the airport, which recently became the first airport to be named the best in Europe for the third time at the ACI Awards.

Nigel Milton, Heathrow Airport’s director of external affairs, said the findings showed that most of those living around the airport recognise the wide-ranging benefits a third runway would bring.

“Heathrow’s expansion is no longer a choice between the environment or the economy – our plans will benefit both,” he said.

“[It] will create tens of thousands of local jobs, ending youth unemployment in the communities closest to the airport, as well as reducing noise impacts and meeting air quality rules.”

The survey questioned some 10,010 over-18s from the 12 constituencies surrounding the airport, including Spelthorne, Brentford and Isleworth, Feltham and Heston, Windsor, Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Slough, Hayes and Harlington, Beaconsfield, Ealing North, Ealing Southall, Richmond Park and Twickenham.  

Separate research published in June revealed that two-thirds of the 150 MPs surveyed by ComRes supported the idea of building a third runway at Heathrow.