Adding Capacity at Heathrow

The Mayor has published his response to the government's Adding Capacity at Heathrow document, and it is available for download below:

Mayor's Response to the Consultation Document 'Adding Capacity at Heathrow' PDF (1.3MB)
Mayor's Response to the Consultation Document 'Adding Capacity at Heathrow' RTF (1.7MB)

Following a review of the evidence presented by the DfT the Mayor concluded, in his response to the consultation, that the three policy tests have not been demonstrated with sufficient confidence to be capable of being met. The proposals for expansion would have a significantly negative impact on climate change emissions, local air quality, noise, and result in the loss of the village of Sipson - including 700 properties, a primary school, community facilities, listed buildings, a significant area of Metropolitan Green Belt and bio-diversity.

Between November 2007 and February 2008 the Department for Transport’s (DfT) sought views on the consultation document Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport. The document set out ‘ways in which Heathrow could be developed over the next 20 years or more …… and describes how additional runway capacity might be provided, its likely impacts and how they might be addressed.

The DfT consultation invited views on the following issues:

a revised proposal for a third runway, with a 2,200 metre operational length, and associated passenger terminal facilities north of the A4. The three runway / 6 terminal airport would handle 702,000 flights per year by 2030, a 46% increase;
a proposal to introduce ‘mixed mode’ on Heathrow’s existing two runways, either with or without additional air traffic movements, as an interim measure ahead of a third runway. One proposed scenario would increase the number of flights handled by the two runways to 540,000 flights per year by 2015, a 13% increase;
the results of a review of operational procedures on the existing runways – ‘westerly preference’ (the preferred direction of operation) and the ‘Cranford agreement’ (which generally prohibits easterly departures off the northern runway) – irrespective of any further changes; and
an assessment of the effects of night time rotation between westerly and easterly preference, and of the current trial of runway alternation in the 0600 to 0700 period.

The Government set out, in the 2003 Future of Air Transport White Paper, three policy conditions for supporting an expansion of capacity at Heathrow . These were:

No increase in the size of the area significantly affected by noise, as measured by the 57 dBA noise contour in 2002 – 127 sq km;
Confidence that European air quality limits, applicable from 2010, would be met. The health base EU limit value for NO2 – 40ug/m3 annual average must be met by 2010.
Improvements in public transport surface access.

Press Releases:
Mayor sets out case against third runway at Heathrow
4 March 2008
Mayor opposes any further airport expansion in London and South East
22 February 2008

Planning and Development

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