A public consultation concerning the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport began last week.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the huge infrastructure project demonstrates that “Britain is open for business”.

There will be 20 one-day events at the airport for members of the public, plus 13 events at other places across the UK for business, industry and other interested parties.

Mr Grayling said: “Aviation expansion is important for the UK, both in boosting our economy and jobs and promoting us on the world stage.

“Leaving the EU gives us a great opportunity to forge a new role in the world. We are determined to seize that opportunity, and having the right infrastructure in place will allow us to build a more global Britain.

This is an important consultation, and I encourage everybody to get involved across the country. Heathrow is already the UK’s biggest freight port by value, and a new runway will provide a post-Brexit boost for exports.

“Heathrow’s expansion will open up new links between the UK and markets around the world. It will connect UK goods and services to global customers and make the UK a more attractive location for inward investment.”

The Government said that planning consent will only be granted if the new runway can be delivered within existing air quality limits and climate change obligations.