Meeting on third Heathrow runway delayed

“It would be quite unacceptable to subject them to a potentially significant deterioration in air quality as well”, said Irranca-Davies. He added: “The committee is right that environmental impacts of a third runway must be considered”.

The MPs said several witnesses, including Transport for London, interpreted the Airports Commission proposals as meaning there could be nitrogen dioxide increases with a third runway if there was more toxic air in another part of the city. “We heard evidence that those targets might be met in theory, but at present there is a policy vacuum and evidence-based skepticism as to whether they can be met in practice”. “Increased pollution should certainly not be permitted on the grounds in that other areas of London are even more polluted”. His party’s candidate for next May’s London Mayoral election is also opposed to expansion of Heathrow. It’s time to draw stumps.

In 2009, David Cameron promised: “The third runway at Heathrow is not going ahead, no ifs, no buts”.

“That was the policy, it remains the policy – and a very good policy it is too”.

The Commons Environmental Audit Committee said it “makes no sense” for public health to let the airport expand provided there was a worse pollution blackspot in the capital so another runway did not delay meeting European Union air quality rules.

On the issue of noise, the MPs “strongly supported” a ban on night flights and called on the government to improve trust between local people and the airport by setting up a community engagement board. Gatwick airport, Heathrow’s rival to the south of the capital, said the parliamentary committee’s report brought into question the basis for the Airport Commission’s recommendation.

“Businesses need to see that government understands the urgency of this decision and is committed to maintaining the positive momentum that has been delivered by a decisive report from the Airports Commission”. “It is increasingly clear only expansion at Gatwick is legal and can actually happen”.