Nearly 70 British business leaders, business pressure groups and union representatives have written to the UK government, asking it to revisit a previous decision to rule out the opening of a third runway at Heathrow airport.

In an open letter published today in The Sunday Telegraph, the writers say limits on Heathrow expansion are a barrier to growth and the decision should be reappraised. Signatories include Colin Matthews, chief executive of Heathrow operator BAA, Simon Walker, director-general of the Institute of Directors and Len McCluskey, secretary general of the Unite Union.