Heathrow runway plans 'hugely irresponsible'

Reacting to reports that the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, is preparing to give her support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, Jenny Bates, transport campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:  

"A decision to green-light another runway at Heathrow would be hugely irresponsible in the midst of a climate emergency and given 2024 was the first year to surpass the all-important 1.5 degrees threshold. It would also fly in the face of the Prime Minister’s promise to show international leadership on climate change.

"Though there are no current applications for a third runway at Heathrow, these reports send a worrying signal for other expansion plans currently awaiting a decision, including for Gatwick and Luton airports. 

"Not only would these expansions bring worse air pollution and noise disturbance for local people, approving them would also contradict the government's own climate advisors, who say that expansion should not go ahead without a proper national plan to curb emissions from the sector and manage passenger numbers."

ENDS