Miliband prepared to break pollution laws over Heathrow
eye to air quality laws to give the go-ahead for a third runway at Heathrow.
around Heathrow if it is allowed to grow. They would breach new EU limits due
to come into force by 2015 at the latest.
ignore minor breaches of air quality laws to allow another runway, stopped short
of giving such a pledge.
the importance of putting a price on carbon emissions from aviation, which is
to be included in the European carbon emissions trading scheme, and added: “We
will take the issues of air quality absolutely seriously when we make our decision
about a third runway.”
must respect new EU limits on pollution.
were “non-negotiable”. John Grogan MP, who has led a Commons rebellion with Cabinet
support over a third runway, said: “If ministers are not careful, they will find
themselves in court.” Yesterday former Cabinet minister Lord Smith, now chairman
of the Environment Agency, warned that a third runway at Heathrow would make it
“impossible” for the Government to meet legally binding targets on air pollution.
is further evidence that the Government is determined to press ahead with a third
runway at Heathrow regardless of the consequences for the environment, health
and quality of life.”
demand for air travel. It would increase Heathrow’s capacity from 480,000 flights
a year to more than 700,000.
for NO2 of 40 micrograms/m ³ which is to be achieved by 1st January 2010. Britain
can seek an extension to meet this pollution law but only until 1st January 2015.