Action to cut Heathrow pollution too slow, Assembly hears

20 OCTOBER 2011

Action to reduce pollution around Heathrow airport is along the right lines but needs to happen faster, the London Assembly heard today[1].

Airport operator BAA told the Assembly’s Environment Committee that only two of the monitoring sites around Heathrow currently exceed EU limits for nitrogen dioxide[2]. However it hopes to improve air quality around the airport in future through encouraging cleaner aircraft, reducing plane taxiing times, promoting sustainable travel and cutting emissions from airport-based vehicles.

Independent air quality consultant Professor Duncan Laxen[3] said: “The issue is not a disagreement with the overall approach which BAA has adopted, but it would be a requirement to ensure that what is done is being done thoroughly and being done fast enough.”

John Stewart, Chair of campaigning group HACAN, agreed that the airport operator had the right objectives but said the speed was much slower than he would like to see.

Murad Qureshi, Chair of the Environment Committee, said: “Pollution is a major problem in the capital and Heathrow has a role to play in helping clean up London’s air, particularly for people living around the airport.

“We are pleased BAA is taking the issue seriously, and welcome some of the plans we heard today, but echo concerns about the speed of progress. Action must be taken as quickly as possible to reduce the damaging effects of pollution on Londoners’ health.

”Aircraft noise is another major concern for Londoners. BAA is encouraging airlines to use more modern aeroplanes into Heathrow, which are quieter than the older models. However, changes to flight paths and operational methods could mean that more people than ever are being affected by aircraft noise, the scale and impact of which is very difficult to evaluate.”

Assembly Members heard that there is an annual cap of 480,000 aircraft allowed to use Heathrow, however, the number of passengers using the airport could rise from 66 million currently to up to 95 million once redevelopment and construction is completed.

Following today’s meeting, the Committee will raise further questions about surface transport issues around Heathrow with BAA.

Notes for Editors:

  1. Watch a webcast of the meeting.
  2. The two sites named by Heathrow where Nitrogen Dioxide levels exceed EU limits are at Oxford Avenue and Hillingdon.
  3. Professor Laxen is Managing Director of Air Quality Consultants Ltd and visiting professor in air    quality management and assessment at the University of the West of England, Bristol.
  4. The Chair of the Environment Committee, Murad Qureshi AM, is available for interview. See contact details below.
  5. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

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