Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to unveil plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

The move is part of the government's biggest airport expansion drive in decades, with ministers saying they will do "whatever it takes" to get spades in the ground by 2030.

Heathrow is expected to formally submit its latest third runway proposals this week, which could include rerouting the M25 through a tunnel under the new runway.

The project is estimated to cost between £45 and £60 billion.

The runway would allow up to 276,000 additional flights per year, potentially increasing Heathrow's capacity to more than 750,000 flights annually and bringing in 66 million extra passengers.

The debate over a third runway has been ongoing for more than 20 years, facing legal challenges and public opposition, particularly in communities under Heathrow's flight paths, including Richmond, Kew, Twickenham and Teddington.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan remains firmly opposed to the expansion and has indicated he may mount a legal challenge.

Sir Keir Starmer, however, sees airport growth as key to boosting the economy.

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His government is also expected to approve a second runway at Gatwick and launch a complete redesign of UK airspace to reduce flight delays and improve efficiency.

Ministers are also preparing to limit legal challenges against infrastructure projects.

Under the new rules, campaigners and local residents would only have two chances to request judicial review, which is down from three.

As part of the expansion strategy, the government will create a new Airspace Design Service, aiming to modernise flight corridors across the UK for the first time since the 1950s.

The changes would directly affect flight routes in and out of Heathrow and could increase efficiency, but may also bring noise to previously unaffected areas.

A consultation will follow, led by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, before a final decision is made on Heathrow's development consent.

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