Government Approves Heathrow Airport Third Runway

The British government has approved of plans for the construction of a third runway at London Heathrow Airport.

The decision – announced shortly after midday on the 15th January by Geoff Hoon, Transport Secretary - comes in the midst of substantial opposition from environmentalists, people living in the Heathrow area and MPs alike.

However, the third runway has its supporters too, especially within the corporate world, with prominent businessmen/ woman highlighting the economic benefits for the UK and, within this, the number of new jobs likely to be opened up.

The Conservative Party has said a third Heathrow Airport runway would represent an “environmental disaster”, and added, if victorious at the next election, they would move to block its construction.

The government’s stance is that of positive backer, so long as environmental concerns (especially air pollution and aircraft noise) are met.

Greenpeace Heathrow Land

Earlier this week, Environmental News reported on how Greenpeace had acquired an area of land close to Sipson Village and that a number of notable celebrities including actress Emma Thompson and comedian Alistair McGowan were involved in this too.

Addressing journalists prior to today’s announcement, Gordon Brown, Prime Minister, stated: “It is always our desire to make sure we protect the economic future of the country while, at the same time, meeting the very tough environmental conditions we have set ourselves for both noise pollution and climate change and I think you will see that reflected in the statement.”

Environmental Measures

Speaking today, Mr Hoon briefly highlighted a number of environmentally-targeted measures. Among them was a proviso that air carriers arriving on/ departing from the third runway ensure that their aircraft represent the most up-to-date (and, therefore, most environmentally friendly) members of their fleets.

Environmental News understands that the start of the third runway’s construction is likely to be six years away and that regular passengers take offs and landings will not be taking place until 2019 at the earliest.

UK CO2 Emissions

It is anticipated that, with the new runway in place, Heathrow will be handling 702,000 flights a year by 2030 – over 200,000 more than it does currently.

Those against the runway – of which there are many – have drawn attention to the impact the extra flights will have on the UK’s CO2 emissions: emissions which the government is obliged to have reduced by 80 per cent before 2050. This situation, said the environmentalists, will be impossible to attain.

“Expanding Heathrow would shatter the government's international reputation on climate change”, Friends of the Earth’s executive director, Andy Atkins, stated.

He added: “We need bold and urgent action to create a low-carbon economy, not more backing for the climate-wrecking activities of the aviation industry.”

The dominant airline using Heathrow is British Airways which, in a statement, referred to the airport’s growth as the sole “credible option.”