2015-07-03 Report backs third runway for Heathrow 伦敦希思罗机场第三条跑道

文字稿

在经过长达三年的讨论评议后，“戴维斯报告”向外公布了其对修建伦敦希思罗机场第三条跑道考察的结果。由霍华德·戴维斯爵士领导的机场管理委员会的报告说支持第三条跑道的建设。以下是 Kamal Ahmed 的报道。

It took three years to complete, and weighs in at an impressive 340 pages, but Sir Howard’s report on aviation capacity comes to a simple, single conclusion.

A new runway at Heathrow is the best option for maintaining Britain’s connections to the world and providing billions of pounds in economic growth. In a move that is likely to be welcomed by business leaders and greeted with dismay by local residents and environmental groups, Sir Howard said that a third runway at one of the world’s busiest airports would provide 70,000 new jobs by 2050.

To mitigate at least some of the controversy the commission’s recommendations will surely spark, Sir Howard proposed a number of measures. Night flights will be banned – the government would make a parliamentary pledge not to build a fourth runway and an aviation noise levy would fund insulation for homes and schools. There would also be a legal commitment on air quality.

词汇表

weighs in 厚达 （原意：重达…）
capacity （机场的运输）能力
connections 连接，联系
greeted （以某种方式）对…作出回应
dismay 失望，愤怒
mitigate 缓解，平息
controversy 争议
spark 引起，引发
measures 措施，办法
parliamentary pledge 议会的承诺
levy 税款
insulation （房屋）隔热层或隔音层

测验

请听报道并回答下列问题。

1. True or false? The report on aviation capacity is a large document. 

2. Who will probably think the report’s conclusion is a good thing?

3. What might be one of the benefits of building a new runway at Heathrow?

4. How would insulation for homes and schools be paid for? 

答案

1. True or false? The report on aviation capacity is a large document.
True. It weighs in at an impressive 340 pages. 

2.Who will probably think the report’s conclusion is a good thing?
It is likely to be welcomed by business leaders.

3.What might be one of the benefits of building a new runway at Heathrow?
According to the report, it would provide 70,000 new jobs by 2050 and it is the best option for maintaining Britain’s connections to the world and providing billions of pounds in economic growth.

4.How would insulation for homes and schools be paid for?
Through an aviation noise levy.