Heathrow expansion consultation launched on Clean Air Day ‘deserves fresh criticism’, says Richmond Council Leader

Richmond Council’s Leader has today criticised the government's decision to launch a consultation on Heathrow expansion on Clean Air Day – calling the timing ‘ironic’ – and warning that a third runway would mean more noise, more pollution and more disruption for communities already affected by the airport.

The publication of the Draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement today marks the latest step in the government’s renewed push for a third runway at Heathrow. The consultation will run until 1 September, including throughout the summer holiday period.

Council Leader Councillor Gareth Roberts said: "The publication of this consultation on Clean Air Day is both disappointing and deeply ironic. Heathrow expansion remains a backwards step that would mean more noise, more pollution, more congestion and more pressure on communities already living under some of the busiest flight paths in Europe.

"London needs cleaner air, lower emissions and better protections for residents – not a project that risks taking us in precisely the opposite direction."

Richmond Council has long been at the forefront of local authority efforts to protect residents from the impacts of Heathrow, campaigning for stronger noise protections, opposing increases in flight numbers and expansion proposals, and helping to build a cross-party coalition of councils, MPs and community groups that successfully challenged previous attempts to expand the airport.

Councillor Roberts continued: "A third runway would bring more aircraft overhead, worsen air quality, increase carbon emissions and place even greater pressure on communities already carrying a disproportionate share of Heathrow’s impacts. Families should not be expected to shoulder the cost of airport expansion through poorer health, reduced quality of life and increased environmental harm. We will continue to stand up for Richmond residents. 

"The government and Heathrow have still failed to demonstrate how expansion can meet their own tests on climate change, air quality, noise and economic benefit. Nor have they made a convincing economic or environmental case for a project that would impose significant costs on local communities while delivering highly uncertain benefits.

"Residents deserve meaningful engagement on proposals of this scale. Running a consultation over the summer holiday period raises legitimate questions about whether communities will have a fair opportunity to scrutinise plans that could affect them for generations.

"Richmond Council will examine the consultation documents in detail, continue working closely with neighbouring councils, MPs and the No 3rd Runway Coalition, and ensure the voices of our residents are heard loud and clear throughout this process.

"As we have said before, London deserves a better Heathrow, not a bigger one."