News Sept to end Nov 2008
endorses the case for a 3rd runway at Heathrow. Lord Adair Turner dismissed the
report in The Guardian as “completely misleading”. He had been reported as saying
aviation could continue to expand while the world cut greenhouse-gas emissions
elsewhere. His rebuttal came as Theresa Villiers reiterated Conservative opposition
to Heathrow expansion. (Travel Weekly)
BAA backing for green Heathrow watchdog
watchdog would step in if air pollution or noise limits were overstepped, and
would have powers to put a limit on traffic. BAA said it could be trusted to keep
its word on green safeguards, even if it meant running at below capacity. BAA
has long argued that it wants the extra capacity primarily to cut delays and would
not use it all. Local residents are not persuaded. (Standard)
Life under Heathrow flight path about to get noisier
has previously admitted under plans to end mixed mode on the two existing runways.
BAA hopes those living under the flight paths will not notice that noise is spreading
throughout the day. Ministers will probably allow expansion to begin as early
as 2010, with at least another 60,000 flights a year, up from 480,000 to 540,000
using the existing two runways by 2015 – or earlier. (Times)
Climate change watchdog backs expansion of Heathrow
its ambitious pledge to slash greenhouse gas pollution by 80% by 2050 even if
ministers give the go-ahead to expanding Heathrow. He says that is “especially
if airlines were able to use biofuels or other low-carbon power sources”. “It’s
possible for the world to cut greenhouse gases while still not cutting aviation
by anything like as much, even increase aviation emissions,” he said. (Guardian)
Miliband prepared to break pollution laws over Heathrow
eye to air quality laws to give the go-ahead for a 3rd runway at Heathrow. Experts
believe that EU NOx limits will be exceeded for years to come after 2015 around
Heathrow if it is allowed to grow. Mr Miliband, asked to give a guarantee that
the Government would not ignore minor breaches of air quality laws to allow another
runway, stopped short of giving such a pledge. (Standard)
BAA agrees to Heathrow watchdog if it gets its 3rd runway
if limits on noise and pollution are breached – if its third runway is approved.
BAA also wants to be able to use both Heathrow’s existing runways for take-offs
and landings simultaneously, but it says if it gets this concession, it will not
increase flight numbers but use the extra capacity to cut delays. (BBC)
Environment Agency rounds on plan for third Heathrow runway
binding targets on air pollution, according to Lord Smith, head of the Environment
Agency. In a speech tomorrow the government’s own green watchdog will increase
pressure on ministers not to approve the expansion. Geoff Hoon’s decision next
month hinges on whether an expanded Heathrow will be able to meet European air
quality targets, due to come into force in 2010. (Sunday Times)
BA chief puts case for third Heathrow runway
runway at Heathrow would leave Britain without a hub airport to match rivals in
Europe and the Middle East for a generation. He told an aviation conference in
London that the UK economy would be held back by inadequate air links for 30 years.
(FT)
ICE president Jean Venables speaks out against Heathrow expansion
of Heathrow and instead backed Tory plans for high speed rail. On plans for a
3rd runway she said: “We have got to urgently change the way we look at transport.
“We have got to look at transport policy as a whole and that means integrating
airports with rail and roads. I firmly believe the High Speed rail option is the
most attractive one.” (NCE)
Boris Johnson pledges £15,000 to anti-Heathrow runway campaign
if ministers go ahead with plans to build a 3rd runway at Heathrow, and may pay
more if needed. The mayor and a coalition of 21 local authorities representing
4 million people believe the expansion of Heathrow would breach EU laws on pollution
and the case for the runway expansion did not outweigh “concerns for the local
environment in terms of noise and air quality”. (Guardian)
Boris Johnson ready to sue over third Heathrow runway
go ahead with plans to build a 3rd runway at Heathrow. He and a coalition of local
authorities representing 4 million people believe expansion, which would increase
the number of flights at Heathrow from 480,000 to 700,000 a year, would breach
EU laws on pollution. Legal action could derail Hoon’s intention to ensure the
new runway is operational by 2030. (Sunday Times)
The Big Question: What would a third runway mean for Heathrow, and is it really
necessary?
necessary?
own ranks. A debate on this was called after around 50 Labour MPs backed a Parliamentary
motion opposing expansion. Cabinet ministers – Hilary Benn, Harriet Harman, Ed
and David Miliband – are all said to have expressed concerns. The most common
argument for a runway is growing demand. Ministers talk about needing to take
“tough decisions” to keep the UK competitive.(Indy)
MPs debate Heathrow expansion
rift over whether to press ahead with plans for expansion. Tuesday’s Commons debate
came after more than 50 Labour backbenchers signed an EDM against the plan, with
reported tacit backing from some cabinet ministers. critics claim that the decision
would make a mockery of the government’s pledge to cut the country’s carbon emissions
by 80 per cent by 2050. (ePolitix)
Ministers to throw full weight behind third runway for Heathrow
the runway plans on Tuesday to send the clearest signal yet that the Government
will give the go-ahead to the expansion of Heathrow within weeks. Ministers are
determined to face down Labour rebels after 38 of the party’s backbench MPs signed
a Commons motion opposing plans for a third runway. He wants to “smoke out” Tory
divisions on the issue. (Telegraph)
Heathrow on Sea gets boost from Boris Johnson
significant steps forward with Boris Johnson preparing to appoint the civil engineer
behind Hong Kong’s giant island airport to examine the viability of the project.
The move comes as senior MPs have set up a cross-party group to lobby the government
to investigate the idea. The Thames estuary idea is loosely based on Hong Kong.
(Sunday Times)
Time to say ‘no’ to Heathrow’s expansion
this week. We hope the voices of opposition, said to reach right into the cabinet,
will be in full flow. But a government go-ahead, when it comes, will mean little.
It will be followed by a judicial review and a lengthy planning process. The government
may well be out of office long before a single strip of runway has been laid down.
Heathrow Third-runway blues
them. Survivors are cutting capacity and raising prices. The number of flights
to and from Heathrow this winter is forecast to fall by 2%. Mr Walsh believes
the era of cheap flying is over. The credit crunch will affect BAA too, partly
by cutting the price Gatwick will fetch, so making it much harder for BAA to finance
the future development of Heathrow. (Economist)
Ministers agree to Heathrow debate
debate on Tuesday on plans to expand Heathrow with the addition of a 3rd runway
and 6th terminal. A group of rebel Labour MPs have joined forces with Conservative
and Liberal Democrat leaders to express opposition to the government’s support
for the project. An EDM by John Grogan MP urging the government to rethink Heathrow
plans has been signed by 116 MPs. (FT)
Expand Heathrow, says train firm FirstGroup
for a Heathrow 3rd runway, while confirming that bus and rail journeys are proving
more recession-proof than air travel. FirstGroup, owner of the First Great Western
and First Capital Connect rail services, said that Heathrow should be expanded
as well as extra rail capacity being built, such as a high-speed line linking
London to the north of England and Scotland. (Guardian)
MPs revolt over third Heathrow runway
showing a significant fall in flights this winter as cabinet ministers join a
Labour revolt against expanding the airport. The number of flights to and from
Heathrow will fall by 1.9% – equivalent to 25 flights a day – this winter compared
with the same period last year. BAA said the long-term growth forecasts for aviation
in the UK showed a different trend. (Guardian)
Third runway at Heathrow would wreck climate target
at Heathrow could wreck the government’s green credentials and undermine efforts
to combat climate change – an 80% cut by 2050. The prime minister is facing a
revolt from the cabinet and senior MPs. Among the critics is Harriet Harman, who
fears residents angry at the increased noise and congestion could eject a clutch
of Labour MPs in west London at the next election. (Times)
Labour MPs oppose Heathrow runway (105 have signed EDM 2344 by 31st Oct) [ 121 by 8th November] [146 by 12th November]
a 3rd runway at Heathrow. MPs from all parties have signed a Commons motion urging
the government to look at “alternative solutions” to take into account noise and
air pollution. The Tories and Lib Dems oppose a 3rd runway but 28 Labour MPs are
among the 78 who have signed the motion (95 have now) (BBC)
Heathrow: MPs plot revolt against third runway
were said to be secretly fuelling a Commons rebellion against expansion of the
airport. Dozens of MPs were joining a campaign to scupper the proposed runway
amid doubts over whether it would be needed if aviation traffic is reduced in
a global economic slowdown. From 19 votes for EDM 2344 – by John Grogan – yesterday,
the figure is now 78 this evening. (Evening Standard)
Heathrow plan attacked by Chris Smith – Chairman of the EA
Rebel MPs table Heathrow early day motion
Passenger jets 10 seconds from collision at Heathrow
Tributes to dedicated campaigner Ann Sobey from Harmondsworth and Sipson
Heathrow ‘needs rail links as well as third runway’
Heathrow Airtrack consultation to take place from October 20th
Health trust to sue Heathrow over expansion
Tory opposition to new airport runways ‘baffling’ – say aviation companies
Passenger figures down at a number of UK airports during September
Heathrow car park transit system takes shape
Richest business travellers use Heathrow (CAA UK Passenger Survey 2007/8)
Heathrow expansion: government accused of dragging heels on EU pollution curbs
Government accused of delaying EU pollution cuts to allow Heathrow expansion
to expand. Official Whitehall papers show civil servants are working to delay
for 5 years a Brussels air quality directive due to come into force in 2010 –
specifically to avoid harming the airport’s growth. The documents, obtained under
FoI by the Evening Standard reveal that EU rules on levels of NO2 would pose a
‘risk’ to plans to increase flights at Heathrow. (Mail)
Conservatives firm up opposition to Heathrow expansion as 6 trade unions come
out against 3rd runway
out against 3rd runway
Tories warn they will not honour decisions over Heathrow or Stansted expansion
Tories warn firms off Heathrow
The Independent on Sunday Green List: John Stewart tops list of Britain’s top
100 environmentalists
100 environmentalists
New research shows business support for a 3rd runway to be less than the aviation
industry claims
industry claims
Heathrow expansion "not going to happen" – Vince Cable
documents obtained by Greenpeace.
Government accused of spin as it rejects calls to review 3rd Heathrow runway
Business Argument for Heathrow Expansion Rejected – Call reveals divisions within
the business community