A TOTAL of 70,000 jobs would vanish across Ealing, Hounslow and Slough if Heathrow closes, a new study has found.

Council leaders have claimed the report shows closing the airport, in favour of a new hub one, would create an 'economic wasteland' in west London and surrounding areas.

The study, published by Parsons Brinkerhof and Berkeley Hanover Consulting today (Wednesday, December 11), was commissioned by the three councils, whose chiefs felt the economic impact of Heathrow closing had previously been underestimated.

In Hounslow, it estimates 36,100 jobs would go, equivalent to 28 per cent of the borough's workforce. In Ealing, 16,800 jobs (10 per cent) would be at risk, and in Slough the figure is 17,000 (29 per cent).

Heathrow Airport itself has previously estimated job losses in Hounslow at just over 20,000 should the airport go, but the authors of this report say they have also accounted for the lure of international connections on businesses.

The report also looks at other options, including keeping Heathrow open without adding an extra runway, which it says would lead to 'notable' job losses in the area, and building an extra landing strip at Gatwick, which it claims would have no long term impact.

The Airports Commission, chaired by Sir Howard Davies, is expected to announce next week which options for extra aviation capacity, including a third runway at Heathrow and a new hub airport in the Thames Estuary, deserve further consideration.

Deputy Hounslow Council leader Colin Ellar said: “Sir Howard Davies and his commission colleagues need to take into account the economic wasteland they would create for employment if they go with the nuclear option of a brand new estuary hub."

Ealing Council leader Julian Bell said: "Thousands of local families depend on Heathrow for their livelihoods and the airport plays a critical role in the local economy. Closing it should not be contemplated."