News

Gatwick CEO: Heathrow expansion plans 'unlawful'

29 May 2015 by GrahamSmith

Expansion at London Heathrow would be "unlawful" as it would further breach air pollution limits, the CEO of London Gatwick warned today.

Stewart Wingate said either Heathrow plan — a third runway or extending an existing runway — would worsen the already poor air quality conditions around the airport. This, he added, would add to the delay of LHR attaining legal limits.

Earlier this month, the Airports Commission inquiry into airport expansion in south-east England opted to examine more evidence on the problems caused by air pollution (see news, May 11). This consultation ends today.

Gatwick said recent data from DEFRA has indicated that under current projections, Heathrow would be the most polluted part of London by 2030, even without a third runway.

Wingate said: "Air quality concerns have prevented Heathrow expansion in the past and the air quality in west London continues to exceed the legal limits and is forecast to do so until beyond 2030.

"The country cannot afford to make the wrong choice and risk years of delay on a project that is eventually halted because of its unacceptable impact. There is now an alternative — Gatwick has never breached legal air quality limits and would operate comfortably within these standards with a second runway.

"Gatwick's expansion plans strike the right balance between delivering the extra airport capacity and taking the right steps to protect the environment."

But Heathrow claims it will "go beyond" meeting air pollution limits.

Matt Gorman, Heathrow's sustainability and environment director, said: "After three years of extensive consultation, evidence gathering and analysis, the Commission has confirmed that Heathrow can expand well within local air quality limits...

"The Airports Commission Air Quality analysis has confirmed an expanded Heathrow will go beyond meeting local air quality limits."

There are three remaining options for a new runway in the south-east — a second at Gatwick, a third at Heathrow, or extending one of the two existing runways at LHR.

The Airports Commission is expected to make its recommedation to the government in the coming weeks.

gatwickairport.com

Graham Smith

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