Environment Agency rounds on plan for third Heathrow runway
binding targets on air pollution, according to Lord Smith, head of the Environment
Agency.
on ministers not to approve the expansion.
itself to rigorous targets to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050, which now include
CO2 from aviation and shipping. It is impossible to see how they would be achieved
if the current plans for a third runway go ahead.
are backed by legislation and cannot be ignored."
for a third runway, which could open in 2020. The decision hinges on whether an
expanded Heathrow will be able to meet European air quality targets, due to come
into force in 2010.
conditions are met but critics, including the Environment Agency, note it is already
in breach.
the Department for Transport published a consultation document on Heathrow this
year. It said it had not fully weighed up the impact on air quality for people
living below the flight path and further afield.
It is important for the environment and the health of the public, but the UK will
struggle to meet the targets it sets. How will the further expansion of Heathrow
– with its detrimental impact on air quality and emissions – help in meeting a
target that it is predicted we will exceed?"
a runway would "not make much difference" to their business.
4% thought a third runway would be of benefit while 37% said they would prefer
a high-speed rail link from Heathrow to the north of England and Europe.
to build a high-speed rail network instead of expanding Heathrow, said: "The tide
has turned. It is time for the government to join us in saying no to a third
runway and yes to making Heathrow better, not bigger."
impact of expanding the airport is not being taken seriously enough by the government.
carbon emissions of extra flights and traffic to the airport, but was also worried
that a larger airport would increase air pollution and noise around Heathrow.
Heathrow.
limits – they have just said that the government case is bad science ignoring
lots of important sensitivity analysis (a BAA fix). The government should press
for the data to be looked at sensibly by independent experts.