Andy Slaughter raises concerns over Heathrow expansion during Commons debate

Image: Andy Slaughter MP addresses parliament. Image credit – parliamentlive.tv

Hammersmith and Chiswick MP questions need for third runway as government revisits National Policy Statement on airports

Hammersmith and Chiswick MP Andy Slaughter has again raised concerns about plans for a third runway at Heathrow, questioning the Transport Secretary during a House of Commons debate on Wednesday 22 October about the government’s review of the National Policy Statement on airports.

Addressing Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, Andy Slaughter asked whether there would be, as part of the review process, “full and independent analysis of economic cost and benefits, environmental effects, and of demand in the south-east, given airport expansion elsewhere.”

Writing in his newsletter after the debate, Andy Slaughter said plans for a third runway “grind on,” and that those who have been fighting Heathrow expansion for 40 years “know to remain vigilant.” He said that, together with other West London MPs, he had pressed the government to re-examine the economic and environmental cases for and against a third runway before making any decision to proceed.

He also questioned whether there is a genuine need for additional flights in the south-east beyond the approved plans to expand Luton and Gatwick airports.

He added that there were “numerous stages before any construction can begin” and that even if expansion were approved, “there would be no flights from a third runway until 2035 at the earliest.” He wrote that “Heathrow remains fundamentally the wrong place for an airport” and pledged to continue campaigning against further expansion.

READ ALSO:  Heathrow expansion is not the answer

READ ALSO: Heathrow expansion will have a huge environmental impact on London, GLA committee hears

In a Chiswick Calendar guest blog published in August, see above, he argued that Heathrow is “poorly sited and close to major population centres,” warning that expansion would worsen noise and air pollution across West London.

Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar