Heathrow expansion is a risk that we simply cannot afford to take says Sadiq Khan

Heathrow Airport

Mayor of London continues to “vehemently oppose” plans for a third runway

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has reiterated his stance on the expansion of Heathrow, saying it would undo all the work that had been done to make London’s air cleaner, overwhelm transport networks, creating gridlock, and force th taxpayer to pick up the multi-billion-pound for the necessary public transport improvements.

The public consultation on the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement closed on 1 September.

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Residents’ groups in Chiswick, including the Bedford Park Society and the Old Chiswick Protection Society, have urged their members to oppose the expansion, as areas of Chiswick which are not currently overflown would find themselves on a flight path if the expansion goes ahead.

Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan

Sadiq Khan put out a statement saying:

‘I’m deeply concerned about the potential adverse impacts of Heathrow Expansion on air quality, noise pollution, our environment and the transport networks in the capital and beyond.

‘While aviation plays an important role in our economy and helps to keep us connected as a global city, any growth must not come at the expense of Londoners’ health or our environment. London is proud to be leading the way in tackling the climate crisis, but I see no evidence these proposals are compatible with a credible path to Net Zero.

‘As we grapple with the sobering consequences of the climate emergency in the form of extreme heatwaves, drought and wildfires, the evidence suggests Heathrow expansion is a risk that we simply cannot afford to take.

‘We’ve made incredible strides to clean up London’s air in recent years, improving health and saving lives by bringing down levels of toxic pollution. A third runway at Heathrow would put this progress in peril, as well as increasing noise pollution to unacceptable levels, blighting local communities who are already suffering.

‘I’m also worried that Heathrow’s expansion could overwhelm transport networks in the capital and beyond, creating gridlock and forcing the taxpayer to pick up a multi-billion-pound bill for the necessary public transport improvements, which are left undefined and unfunded in the current proposals.

‘The truth is the whole case for Heathrow expansion relies on outdated evidence that fails to take into account the urgent challenges we face today. I will continue to vehemently oppose these plans as I seek to build a fairer, safer, greener, more prosperous London for everyone’.

His comments come as a new report by the Tyndall Centre in Manchester reports that the expansion of Heathrow is incompatible with the UK’s climate targets.

READ ALSO: The UK cannot both expand Heathrow Airport and meet its climate targets, new scientific report finds

London Assembly

London Assembly members concerned about impact Heathrow expansion would have on the Piccadilly Line

The Transport Committee of the London Assembly added its voice to the consultation, saying it was concerned about the effects of an expanded Heathrow on London traffic.

Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, Caroline Russell AM said:

“The London Assembly Transport Committee is concerned that the proposed strategy to mitigate the local transport impacts of an expanded Heathrow do not go far enough. We are particularly worried about increased crowding and reduced reliability on the Piccadilly line and the creation of substantial new demand on the Elizabeth line.

 “Without the correct mitigations in place, expansion also risks exacerbating existing pressures on the road network, worsening the experience of local communities, and undermining efforts to encourage a shift to sustainable transport modes. These impacts will be felt most by the people living in and around Heathrow, should the expansion go ahead.

“The draft HENPS must therefore include measures to ensure there is no net increase in traffic as a result of expansion and set ambitious targets for reducing traffic in the area ahead of the expansion itself.  We believe that expansion should not go ahead unless these reductions have been achieved.”

Heathrow airport

West London Assembly Member and Leader of Richmond Council Gareth Roberts among council leaders opposing the expansion

Leader of Richmond Council Gareth Roberts represents the Chsiwick area on the Assembly, as Member for Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames and Richmond upon Thames. He has long opposed Heathrow’s expansion.

Along with several other leaders of London Boroughs, he has signed a joint letter to the Transport Secretary saying say the Government had yet to properly make the case that a third runway is needed.

The letter, signed by the leaders of Richmond, Wandsworth, Southwark, Hillingdon, Kingston, Sutton and Windsor & Maidenhead, said the proposed Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement does not set strong enough safeguards on aircraft noise, air quality, climate change and the impact on local communities.

Notable in their absence from that list are the boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow, where Heathrow is a big provider of employment.

Gareth Roberts, GLA Member and Leader of Richmond Council

Gareth Roberts said:

“Heathrow is an important part of London’s economy, but that cannot mean asking our residents to accept more noise, dirtier air and greater congestion.

“The Government needs to properly demonstrate that expansion is needed and put robust protections in place for the communities that would bear the consequences. Good growth doesn’t come at any cost.”

The council leaders raised a number of specific concerns:

• The Government must properly demonstrate that Heathrow expansion is needed, with claims about economic growth and jobs weighed against impacts on residents’ health, quality of life, air quality, climate targets and public infrastructure
• Aircraft noise should be judged by what residents experience, not simply airport-wide averages, with existing protections such as runway alternation and respite protected and strengthened
• The Government should require a genuine reduction in night flights
• The Government must properly assess and monitor ultrafine particles, an emerging aviation-related pollutant associated with airport activity
• The consultation should not prejudge the outcome by designating Heathrow expansion as Critical National Growth Infrastructure before key concerns have been resolved
• Better use of existing airport capacity, improved rail links and a shift from domestic flights to rail should be fully considered before any decision is made on a new runway