The Airports Commission put together ‘an inflated and distorted case for expanding Heathrow’ that directly contravenes EU air quality law, a group of five councils has claimed.
The local authorities published a joint report today challenging the case for a third runway at the West London airport, following the Airports Commission's recommendation.
Hillingdon, Richmond, Wandsworth, and Windsor and Maidenhead councils, as members of the 2M Group of local authorities opposed to Heathrow expansion, collected evidence they believe suggests the Commission ‘misunderstood’ the EU air quality legislation.
The report highlights that nitrogen dioxide levels around Heathrow are currently over the EU limit.
It states that 'in reality, approving a scheme which knowingly exacerbates illegal pollution levels directly contravenes EU air quality legislation', adding that the new runway would ‘place a large source of pollution in an area that is already under severe strain’.
Lord True, leader of Richmond Council, said: ‘As the evidence in this report points out, there is no way to mitigate the impacts of the Heathrow expansion and this third runway proposal is no different from those which went before it. As with previous schemes, it is wide open to legal challenge and the environmental costs do not justify the economic benefits, in addition, the expansion could cost UK taxpayers £20bn.’
Among a range of criticisms, the report states that Transport for London has argued the Commission underestimated the cost of the necessary surface transport upgrades around Heathrow by £10-£15bn.
It also repeats previous claims that the Commission widely exaggerated the growth forecast from Heathrow expansion by some £100bn as a result of double counting.
Ray Puddifoot, leader of Hillingdon Council, said: ‘The critical factors which present the biggest challenge to a potential third runway have been either avoided, or worse, misinterpreted by the commission.
‘There is a distinct lack of information on air quality and flightpaths and instead there are inflated claims about a colossal economic windfall that the commission says will come from a handful of new trade routes. It's clear to me that the case for expansion at Heathrow doesn't add up and a third runway will never happen, no ifs or buts.’
The Airport’s Commission has previously responded to crtiicism by stating: ‘The evidence in the final report was subject to extensive analysis and consultation and we are confident that it is fir for purpose.'
