BUSINESS leaders welcomed approval of Heathrow's Terminal 5 and the jobs and transport links which will follow.

The Chamber of Commerce stated that while residents' quality of life must be a priority, transport links from Staines to the new terminal will create an important resource for people relying on trains to reach London jobs.

Ken Morgan, chairman of the Spelthorne chamber, said: "We are delighted as we believe our commercial members will benefit greatly from the decision to go ahead. And as far as the economy and the number of jobs it will create it's an absolute must.

"We are also looking at the benefits of the transport links proposed for the airport which all go through Staines and will really help people getting to work."

Surrey Chamber of Commerce chief executive Louise Punter said: "We are pleased that the government has granted BAA Heathrow approval to go ahead with its plans to build a fifth terminal and that this approval is granted subject to cast iron guarantees which were requested at the time of the inquiry by local residents."