Heathrow’s third runway ‘dead’ and runway decision ‘untenable’

26.3.2010   (Politics.co.uk)

A high court ruling has set back the third runway at Heathrow for years, with
campaigners calling the project “dead”.

Lord Justice Carnwath decided the public consultation based on a 2003 white paper
was invalid because it had been overtaken by events based on evidence about climate
change.

His ruling that the 2003 air transport white paper was incompatible with the
Climate Change Act 2008 means the government’s entire aviation policy must now
be reviewed, according to the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Its alliance with local councils and environmental groups has resulted in a resounding
defeat for the government, according to commentators.

Labour backbencher John McDonnell, speaking outside the court, said: “This is
a dead project and the government needs to recognise it.”

Liberal Democrat MP Susan Kramer added: “We will always fight but effectively
there is now such a barrier that it cannot be surmounted by the government.”

Transport secretary Andrew Adonis quickly put out a statement saying he welcomed
the ruling, however.   (see below)

But Ray Puddifoot, speaking on behalf of local councils, said: “If after this
ministers are still intent on pressing ahead with expansion they will have to
go back to the beginning and justify the whole economic case in public.

“Knowing what we now know about rising carbon costs this is an argument they
cannot win.”

link to article

 

 

The full text of the Judge’s ruling is at

http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2010/626.html

 

see also

 

 

Heathrow third runway decision ‘untenable,’ court rules

Times     26.3.2010         by

The decision to give Heathrow Airport a third runway was "untenable", the High
Court ruled today.

Objectors to the plans, a coalition of local councils, green groups and residents,
claimed victory after arguing that the expansion decision was at odds with the
UK’s overall climate change targets.

The group includes six local authorities, Greenpeace and the Campaign to Protect
Rural England (CPRE).

The coalition said in a joint statement that the Government’s Heathrow policy
"is in tatters this morning" after Lord Justice Carnwath ruled the decision to
give the green light was "untenable".    
The statement said: "If the Government wants to pursue its plans for Heathrow
expansion it must now go back to square one and reconsider the entire case for
the runway."

John McDonnell, the Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, who has led the campaign
against the expansion of Heathrow for the last 30 years, said: "In essence this
judgment means that the game is up for a third runway at Heathrow and I am calling
upon the Government to accept the inevitable and lift this threat to my community."

He added: "What we need now is a sensible approach to developing a sustainable
transport policy based upon high-speed rail. This judgment is a victory. It means
that whichever party is in Government they will not now be able to force through
Heathrow expansion."

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article7077138.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797084

 

 

see also

 

Heathrow third runway halted as judge orders new review into climate impact

Campaigners against the expansion of Heathrow Airport claimed victory today in
a High Court battle over plans to build a third runway.

A coalition of local councils, green groups and residents argued that the expansion
decision was at odds with Britain’s overall climate change targets.

The coalition includes six local authorities, Greenpeace and the Campaign to
Protect Rural England (CPRE).

The coalition said in a joint statement that the Government’s Heathrow policy
‘is in tatters this morning’ after Lord Justice Carnwath ruled the decision to
give the third runway the green light was ‘untenable’.

 
 

The High Court today ruled that a Government decision in favour of Heathrow’s
third runway was flawed

 

The statement said: ‘If the Government wants to pursue its plans for Heathrow
expansion it must now go back to square one and reconsider the entire case for
the runway.’

Hayes and Harlington Labour MP John McDonnell, who has led the campaign against
the expansion of Heathrow for the last 30 years, said: ‘In essence this judgment
means that the game is up for a third runway at Heathrow and I am calling upon
the Government to accept the inevitable and lift this threat to my community.’

He went on: ‘What we need now is a sensible approach to developing a sustainable
transport policy based upon high-speed rail.  
‘This judgment is a victory. It means that whichever party is in Government they
will not now be able to force through Heathrow expansion.’

 

Resident from the village of Sipson, which was earmarked for the third runway, have claimed victory in the High Court battle

Resident from the village of Sipson, which was earmarked for the third runway,
have claimed victory in the High Court battle

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said: ‘I welcome this court ruling.

‘Heathrow is Britain’s principal hub airport. It is vital not only to the national
economy but also enables millions of citizens to keep in touch with their friends
and family and to take a well-deserved holiday.

‘The airport is currently operating at full capacity. A new runway at Heathrow
will help secure jobs and underpin economic growth as we come out of recession.
It is also entirely compatible with our carbon reduction target, as demonstrated
in the recent report by the Committee on Climate Change.’

He went on: ‘The Government confirmed support for expansion at Heathrow only
after detailed assessment showing that the strict environmental limits set for
expansion could be met. In parallel, we announced measures which will give the
UK one of the toughest environmental regimes of any country in the world.’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1260842/Heathrow-runway-halted-judge-orders-new-review-climate-impacts.html

 

see also

 

full press release from the coalition:

GOVERNMENT’S HEATHROW EXPANSION PLANS IN TATTERS AS JUDGE SLAMS RUNWAY POLICY

Date Added: 26th March 2010

The Government’s Heathrow policy is in tatters this morning after the High Court
ruled that ministers’ decision to give a green light to the proposed 3rd runway
at Heathrow does not hold any weight. The judge dismissed the Government’s claims
to the contrary as ‘untenable in law and common sense’. If the Government wants
to pursue its plans for Heathrow expansion it must now go back to square one and
reconsider the entire case for the runway. The implications of today’s ruling
are profound, not just for Heathrow but for airport expansion plans across the
UK. Lord Justice Carnwath ruled that the 2003 Air Transport White Paper – the
foundation of expansion plans across the country – is obsolete because it is inconsistent
with the Climate Change Act 2008.

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