Assembly raises ‘deep concerns’ over environmental impact of Heathrow expansion on Londoners

The London Assembly Environment Committee has raised deep concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed expansion of Heathrow airport on Londoners.

The plans could potentially increase the number of flights from 480,000 to 756,000 – many of which would fly directly over London.¹

Heathrow unveiled its proposals for a third runway in the summer, which would be up to 3.5km long, require a new road tunnel under the airport, and alterations to the M25. This plan was supported by the government in November.

The Committee’s main concerns fear the expansion would:

• Expose many more Londoners to harmful levels of aircraft noise, with negative implications for health, wellbeing, and London’s green spaces;
• Undermine progress made on air quality, reversing recent improvements;

• Undermine both London and the UK’s climate goals, including London’s target for reducing fossil fuel emissions by 2030;

• Conflict with the Climate Change Committee’s advice on carbon budgets.

The Committee has today written to the Secretary of State for Transport, calling for the Airports National Policy Statement to include targets for noise impacts, no additional air quality impacts from airports, and progressively tighter standards to lower emissions over time.

Leonie Cooper AM, Chair of the London Assembly Environment Committee, said:

“The proposed expansion for Heathrow Airport raises a number of serious environmental concerns.

“The impact of aircraft noise on many Londoners’ quality of life is already too great, and any expansion would cause significant additional noise, air quality and climate impacts.

“Experts highlighted the risk that an expansion could reverse the recent improvements to air quality through schemes such as the ULEZ for example.

“As London works towards the Mayor’s target of significantly reducing carbon emissions in the city, we heard that the expansion goes against this target.

“Whilst government has announced its support for Heathrow’s plans, it is vital the environmental impacts are mitigated as much as possible.

“This includes government ensuring the appropriate tests are in place to monitor the impact on London’s air quality, on noise and for targets for no additional air quality impacts from airports.”

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