The Department for Transport announced last week that the government would be delaying its final decision on airport expansion, despite previous assurances from David Cameron that he would “guarantee… a decision [would] be made by the end of the year".

Cameron has been accused of postponing a decision due to fears it could impact the London mayoral elections.

Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park, has vowed to resign if Heathrow is chosen, which would both trigger an by-election and throw the Mayoral race into disarray.

Speaking in parliament yesterday, transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin insisted the government was continuing to consider three schemes – a third runway at Heathrow, a second runway at Gatwick and using a split runway at Heathrow – despite Davies recommending a third runway as the best option in his report.

“Sir Howard Davies and his team produced a powerful report. Heathrow Airport Ltd’s scheme was recommended by the Airports Commission, but all three schemes were deemed viable,” he said.

“We are continuing to consider all three schemes. And we want to see action. But we must get the next steps right. Both for those keen to push ahead with expansion, and for those who will be affected by it.”

He continued: “I want people who stand to lose their homes to be properly compensated for the impacts of expansion.

“And I want local people to have the best access to the opportunities that expansion will bring, including new jobs and apprenticeships.

“So we will develop detailed community mitigation measures for each of the shortlisted options. We expect to conclude this package of work by the summer.”

“Critically, this means the timetable for delivering additional capacity set out by Sir Howard does not alter.The commission reported that an additional runway would be required by 2030 and we intend to meet that,” he added.