• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 19 December 2001

As the north London Lib Dem rep I vaguely remember the BAA giving evidence to the Terminal 4 inquiry, and saying that they would not want a Terminal 5, and definitely would not want a third runway. I wonder whether the BAA's word as a corporation is reliable. In the matters raised by Darren and Samantha, I am not sure we can rely on it, given their track record and what they say at certain times and what happens after they have got their wicked way.

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 19 December 2001

Can you start those detailed discussions, and hold the BAA to their side of the bargain in drawing up an action plan and some publicly available implementation plans that we can all see to decide whether the BAA are delivering on their side of the bargain?

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 19 December 2001

Yes, but so often, all the environmental gains from the technological advances - whether in emissions or noise - have been lost because of the ever-increasing traffic. So the environmental gains have not been realised. Your air quality strategy talks about the problems around Terminal 5 and Heathrow generally, and says that only 33% of ground traffic uses public transport, adding that it would clearly be unsustainable for that number of people to use public transport once the fifth terminal was built. What discussions have you had with the BAA on a timetable and an action plan to introduce the...

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 19 December 2001

In terms of the wider look at airport capacity, if passenger numbers continue to grow at the current rate over the next 20 years, we would need either four new Heathrows or eight new Gatwicks. That is clearly unsustainable on any criteria. Are you afraid that we are just going to go for a "predict and provide" approach, and is that not a danger with the sort of approach that you are taking?

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 19 December 2001

Terminal 5 being given the go-ahead makes the prospect of a third runway far more likely now, and there is real concern about that - particularly among Londoners, who were extremely disappointed that you gave your tacit approval to Terminal 5 and did not come out against it, because of the huge environmental implications. Could we not have a commitment from you as Mayor that this time, in view of the huge environmental damage that the third runway will do in terms of noise, pollution and climate change, rather than just sitting on the fence you will lead the campaign...

• Question by: Samantha Heath
• Meeting date: 19 December 2001

Darren referred to the air quality strategy and the things you intend to do now that Terminal 5 is going ahead. I was curious about proposal 45: "The Mayor will urge the Government to do more to reduce emissions at airports, particularly Heathrow, by all means available." Apart from congestion charge and the low emission zone, which we have already rehearsed, are you working on any other means?

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 19 December 2001

Samantha Heath: When you went to Washington with your former environmental adviser, Ken, did you go by steamboat? The Mayor: The point is made. Darren Johnson: I always get the train when I go to Europe for my holidays, though, Sam. If it is available, that is the means of transport I use.

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 19 December 2001

Absolutely. The inspector set a limit, that the flight numbers should not exceed 480,000. Do you agree that that limit must be observed, and will you make a firm commitment to do everything possible from your platform as Mayor to ensure that it is?

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 19 December 2001

Do you agree that a broader issue arises here - the lack of capacity on the overground services in south-east London? Will you be proposing in the coming year to involve yourself, with the limited powers you have, in working with the overground railway operators - both the train operators and the SRA - as a higher priority; and particularly pressing for an early delivery of South London Metro and improvements to capacity on the North Kent line?

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 19 December 2001

It could do if it was looked at within the context of the Orbirail network. The Mayor: Do you live around the corner? Darren Johnson: I do, yes. I have been lobbied heavily by local people in the Brockley Cross Action Group, who have been pushing this. But this idea is getting support from across the political spectrum locally. As you say, some questions have still to be answered, but we need a feasibility study for the area, the cost of which is estimated at £70,000. If other partners such as Lewisham Council and the Strategic Rail Authority came on...