Councils plead with MPs over a third Heathrow runway

Richmond, Hillingdon, Wandsworth and Windsor and Maidenhead councils have urged MPs to oppose the recommendation from the Airports Commission for a new third runway at Heathrow.

The councils, and members of the 2M Group of local authorities against the Heathrow expansion, have asked MPs to review their findings following an in depth assessment of the commission’s claims.

A new report compiled by the councils, questions the recommendation on environmental, health, and community impact grounds, and states that the commission has put together an inflated and distorted case for expanding Heathrow.

The report highlights the factors that make the third runway undeliverable. These include environmental, transport, political and social factors as well as potential legal issues.

According to the councils’ report, the commission’s errors include flawed connectivity which it claims a third runway will significantly enhance but expansion will only offer five extra long haul routes.

In addition, there are also allegations suggesting the commission misunderstood claims regarding EU air quality legislation and that it has deliberately recommended placing a large source of pollution in an area that is already under severe strain.

Lord True, Leader of Richmond Council, said: “As the evidence in this report points out, there is no way to mitigate the impacts of the Heathrow expansion and this third runway proposal is no different from those which went before it. As with previous schemes, it is wide open to legal challenge and the environmental costs do not justify the economic benefits, in addition, the expansion could cost UK taxpayers £20bn.”

Cllr Ray Puddifoot, leader of Hillingdon Council, added: “The critical factors which present the biggest challenge to a potential third runway have been either avoided, or worse, misinterpreted by the commission.

“There is a distinct lack of information on air quality and flightpaths and instead there are inflated claims about a colossal economic windfall that the commission says will come from a handful of new trade routes. It’s clear to me that the case for expansion at Heathrow doesn’t add up and a third runway will never happen, no ifs or buts.”

Cllr Ravi Govindia, Leader of Wandsworth Council, also commented: “The Airports Commission’s recommendation, if followed, will lead to more wasted years and another failed runway scheme. Heathrow’s owners have already confirmed that they cannot operate the airport under these constraints. We believe that Heathrow expansion is the wrong answer for London and the UK. We urge the Government not to continue to shoehorn yet more airport capacity into a location where the social and environmental harm cannot be justified.”

Cllr David Burbage, Leader of Windsor and Maidenhead Council, concluded: “We are asking MPs to consider carefully whether a scheme that is forecast to deliver a net reduction in direct routes between Heathrow and domestic airports is really in the interest of regional economies and local people. The third runway is the wrong choice for London and would greatly reduce regional connectivity and economic competitiveness. For the millions of people who are neighbours to the airport, this would be very damaging.”