The leader of Hounslow Council has welcomed the Conservative’s commitment to scrap plans for a third runway at Heathrow in their general election manifesto.

Shadow transport minister Julian Brazier told the Tory party conference in Manchester that opposition to the project remained “absolutely firm”.

Council leader Peter Thompson said: “There are strong and clear policy differences of what a Conservative government will offer the electorate at the next general election.

“For the residents of our borough, who are concerned about over capacity at Heathrow, the impact on the environment and their rights to a good night sleep and enjoyment of their gardens, they will be delighted to know that if David Cameron becomes Prime Minster, there will be no third runway.”

Mr Brazier told the conference the Conservatives wanted to focus on improving capacity at regional airports and build more high-speed trains.

Geraldine Nicholson, chairwoman of campaign group NoTRAG, said: ‘We have known for a while that the Conservatives were planning to scrap plans for the third runway at Heathrow.

“We welcome the news that it is in their election manifesto and, should the Conservatives form the next government, we will be working with our MPs to ensure that promise is kept.”