The London Assembly will thoroughly scrutinise the decision to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport. In a motion agreed unanimously today, it re-stated its long standing and cross-party opposition to a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
The Assembly agreed that the Transport, Environment, Housing, Economy, Planning and Health Committees will have a standing item on the agenda for each of its meetings on opposing the expansion of Heathrow Airport and a third runway.
Tony Arbour AM, who proposed the motion said:
“We are nothing if our principle priority is not the health and well-being of Londoners and there is no doubt that the expansion of Heathrow would have a harmful impact on our city.
“The purpose of this motion is to ensure that the spectre of a third runway is raised on every possible occasion. The motion demonstrates that the assembly means business in stopping Heathrow expansion.
“The Mayor has promised to help to slay this dragon and we will hold him to account on this.
“We want Heathrow to be better, not bigger”.
Jennette Arnold OBE AM, who seconded the motion said:
“The disappointing decision to give Heathrow expansion the green light will have a far-ranging and damaging impact on the lives on Londoners. I am fully behind the Mayor in his support for a legal challenge on the decision.
“It is imperative that the London Assembly assesses how it can raise robust and comprehensive objections to a third runway through the lens of its multiple committees and the policy areas it oversees.
“It is clear that any projected economic benefits of the expansion will come at the expense of our environment and the health of Londoners, so it is vital that we continue to build the strongest case possible against it.”
The full text of the motion is:
“The motion agreed by the Assembly at the London Assembly (Plenary) meeting on 7 June 2018 reiterated the Assembly’s long-standing opposition to a third runway at Heathrow airport and set out a positive resolution to campaign to prevent its implementation.
Noting that motion, the Assembly agrees that the Transport, Environment, Housing, Economy, Planning and Health Committees will have a standing item on the agenda for each of its meetings to formally consider how it will contribute to the Assembly’s work in opposing the expansion of Heathrow Airport and a third runway.”
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Tony Arbour AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews. Please see contact details below.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 020 7983 4228. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100