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GLA Committee says Government’s Heathrow 3rd Runway conditions ‘not fit for purpose’

In a damming report published the GLA Environment Committee said that the conditions the Government put in place to limit the impact of a third runway at Heathrow on noise, air pollution and emissions were ‘not fit for purpose’ (1). The all-party report calls for fundamental changes to the conditions.

When the Government last year gave BAA the green light to draw up detailed plans for a third runway it said that use of the runway would be limited unless it met key environmental conditions. It said that the size of the 57 decibel contour should be no larger than it was in 2002; that air pollution levels should stay within the European Union legal limits; and that CO2 emissions should be consistent with the Government’s reduction targets. These three conditions would be monitored by the Civil Aviation Authority, the Environment Agency, and the Committee on Climate Change, respectively.

The GLA report says it has “grave concerns” about “all aspects” of the conditions. It calls on the Government and BAA to set out clear strategies on how air pollution and emissions will be reduced before any expansion can ever even be considered. It is unconvinced about the Government’s belief that the much-vaunted ‘green planes’ will be able to play a key role in cutting air pollution and emissions.

It is dismissive of the Government’s noise target. It argues that it should have been based on a more recent year than 2002 to prevent the distorting effects of Concorde It also criticises the method the Government has used to measure noise, arguing it should use the up-to-date method required by the European Union.

Read the full report

Read the HACAN Press Release

Conservatives’ Stance on Aviation Clarified

In a significant speech on aviation to an industry conference on 7th December 2009 Conservative Transport Spokeswoman Theresa Villiers spelt out in the clearest terms yet what a Conservative Government would do on aviation. Below are extracts on Heathrow.

Fourthly, and most controversially, we have made it clear that if we win the general election we would not allow new runways to be built at Stansted or Gatwick and we would stop a third runway at Heathrow. We believe that the commitments on climate change to which all parties have now signed up will be much harder to achieve with the flight growth that a third runway would involve. Nor do we believe that there is any realistic prospect of meeting the EU limits on Nitrogen Dioxide pollution if expansion is permitted on the scale proposed. Moreover, adding another flight path over a densely populated area would compound an existing noise problem which is already a genuine concern in areas as far apart as Greenwich and Reading. I also believe that the economic case for Runway Three has been over-stated and that the business community is by no means united in supporting the massive expansion the government would like to see.

Theresa Villiers says on her website that her proudest political achievement is:

“Shaping the Conservative Party's views on Heathrow expansion and bringing it within the coalition opposing a third runway”

Celebrities and Politicians Plant ‘No 3rd Runway’ Trees

David Cameron and Nick Clegg both sponsor a tree

Left to Right front Carol-Ann Duffy Poet Laureate, Alison Steadman actress (Richard Briers, actor behind),Susan Kramer MP for Richmond Park, Nick Clegg Lib Dem Leader and Labour MPs Andy Slaughter and John McDonnell plant trees on the site of the 3rd Runway.

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Cameron confirms Tories will drop 3rd Runway

Addressing a meeting at Christ Church School in Richmond the Conservative Leader was crystal clear about his Party’s policy on Heathrow last week (mid-October):

“The 3rd runway at Heathrow is not going ahead. No ifs; no buts.”

European Campaigners Join Forces Against Airport Expansion

Over 50 people from 12 different countries came together at a conference In Brussels to look at ways of campaigning more closely together. The conference, the brainchild of HACAN, is expected to result in a greater exchange of information between campaigners and more co-ordination of campaigns and activities.

Aircraft Noise is a Problem Many Miles From Heathrow

Aircraft Noise has become a big problem for people living a long way from Heathrow. Check out our brand-new video, shot in Vauxhall, almost 20 miles from Heathrow.