Attempts to cut air pollution in London would be trashed by Heathrow expansion says Caroline Russell AM, as previously unpublished reports show the proposed third runway is a ‘high risk’ for worsening pollution. [1]
Heathrow was selected for expansion by the Government earlier this year. Caroline Russell wrote to the Transport Secretary saying ‘the proposal makes a mockery of the Government’s ratification of the Paris Agreement’. [2]
The Government has now reopened its consultation on expanding Heathrow after the new reports were released yesterday.
Caroline Russell, Green Party Member of the London Assembly says:
The Government reopening their consultation on Heathrow expansion shows their plans are clearly unravelling. A third runway is completely unworkable if the Government is to meet its legal duty to reduce the air pollution people are exposed to as quickly as possible.
Do they really expect the public to be so gullible as to believe that a third runway won’t exacerbate air pollution, worsen traffic and create even more noise misery for Londoners living around Heathrow and under flight paths.
Successive Mayors, the London Assembly, and millions of Londoners have consistently opposed expansion at Heathrow. We want to be able to trust the air we breathe not suffer even more pollution.
The only place for a third runway is in the dustbin of bad ideas.
Notes to editors
[1] Government outlines next steps for delivering airport expansion https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-outlines-next-steps-for-delivering-airport-expansion
[2] Caroline Russell response to the Government's Airports National Policy Statement. Letter to Rt Hon Chris Graying MP, June 2017
https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/london-assembly/assembly-members/publications-caroline-russell/publication-caroline-russe-5