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Pollution law delay for Heathrow expansion
Paul Waugh and Chris Ames16.10.08
MINISTERS are planning to water down EU pollution curbs in order to allow Heathrow airport to expand, Whitehall documents obtained by the Standard have revealed.
Official papers show that civil servants are working to delay for five years a Brussels air quality directive due to come into force in 2010 specifically to avoid harming the airport's growth.
The documents, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, reveal for the first time that the EU rules on levels of nitrogen dioxide would pose a "risk" to plans to increase flights at Britain's biggest airport.
They also directly contradict claims by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn earlier this year that the Government's stance on the directive was in no way linked to decisions on Heathrow.
Mr Benn was today accused of misleading Parliament over the issue and faced demands to apologise in the Commons.
Green groups have long suspected ministers are working behind the scenes to delay the tough new pollution curbs to protect the air industry. But until now there has been little concrete proof of a link to Heathrow.
The Department for Transport documents show that officials from DfT and Mr Benn's Defra department worked together on the plans to help the airport. Transport officials "worked with Defra to ensure negotiations over [the] Directive take account of Heathrow position", one memo reveals.
The papers show that the DfT also predicted that pollution around Heathrow will breach limits in the European Union air quality directive when it becomes law in 2010, "necessitating capacity constraints" and posing a risk to the airport's expansion.
The DfT is expected to announce this year that it will allow "mixed mode" operation allowing both planes to take off and land on both runways at the same time at Heathrow from around 2012. This would provide capacity for more flights before the opening of a third runway from 2020.
Mr Benn was challenged by Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker in May about suspicions of a link between Heathrow and moves to delay the EU rules.
Today Mr Baker said: "My suspicions were always that Defra was conniving to weaken air pollution standards at Heathrow, but Hilary Benn denied it. Now we have confirmation that it was indeed what Defra was doing."
The new documents are internal DfT risk assessments obtained by Greenpeace under FOI laws. The most recent assessment is dated September 2007. It records predictions that permitted levels of nitrogen dioxide would be breached in 2010.
Greenpeace transport campaigner Anna Jones said: "The fact is that a third runway will lead to unacceptable levels of air and climate change pollution, and all the evidence suggests that the EU agrees. The case for airport expansion is collapsing, fast."
Reader views (10)
I worry about the statement, "The DfT is expected to announce this year that it will approve "mixed mode" operation allowing both planes to take off and land on both runways at the same time at Heathrow from around 2012". Ironically, for residents who already suffer from noise, the construction of a third runway would improve conditions by shifting some portion of existing and forecasts flights to a new flight path further north. But mixed mode is another story. This is likely to be slipped in irrespective of any decision concerning the third runway and will have a disastrous impact on those who already suffer. Where is the justice ? Had mixed mode been a consultation matter in its own right it would have been easily defeated. To link it (as a lesser matter) to the more contentious issue of the third runway is a disingenious device and not worthy of any sincere government.
- David Of Putney, Putney, London
It sickens me that some people still ignore the real price for expansion - and that is asthma for our children and 'increased morbidity' for our elderly. As for this hackneyed you live near the airport so suck it up arguement, Clapham and Wandsworth and Stockie residents will be surprised - of course the airport is TOO NEAR high density population. The poison of noise and air pollution thats IS KILLING US ALL, blows across central London and out east (prevailing winds make this so) that combined with planes flying over head and cars travelling to the airport ensure we are all dieing for Heathrow, Willie Walsh, BAA, corrupt officials and of course the dodgey slime that are Labour ministers can't hide the facts for ever. I am also concerned that Hoon a minister with form happily managing ministry decisions where people die (Defence and the scandle of equipment supply to troops)will have no propblem sending us all to the grave so that BA does not loose its monopoly position in Heathrow and to hell with people.
- Christian Ball, London, UK
Dear Paul and Chris
In a written answer to Darren Johnson, Chair of the London Assembly's Environment Committtee, Mayor Johnson said:
"It is very disappointing that the UK government have to apply for a 5-year time extension to meet the EU air quality limit values. In order to secure an extension the government has to present plans to the European Commission showing how they will meet the limits within the 5-year extension. The government's plans will be subject to full public consultation. I will review the plans to ensure that they are sufficient to deliver the essential improvements to London's air quality. I will not oppose the time extension entirely as this would lead to government facing infraction costs without any addtional benefits for London's air quality. If the government fails to meet the conditions of the Air Quality Directive I will not dispute the commission taking the necessary action."
Simon Birkett
Principal Contact
Campaign for Clean Air in London
- Simon Birkett, London
Why is this government so hellbent on this silly Heathrow disaster airport?? We need a new and better airport. Heathrow is too close to the city centre and not well connected to London.
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
The delay of DfT's third runway decision, earlier on in the year, really gave this game away.
Something, somewhere, was happening. Many unknown facts had to be uncovered, through the Freedom Of Information Act, only to display the murky depths our Government, their Civil Servants and our businesses were going through to get their own way.
This latest revelation shows the real depths our Civil Service have seeped down to so they can accommodate the requests of big business.
I thought they were supposed to be a "neutral" group of people acting on our behalf: (Their wages are still being paid by us taxpayers) yet they prefer to listen to big business.
- Mark, Isleworth. Middlesex
I wish to report that the cold water tap in my bathroom is dripping continuously,there can be no doubt that is Gordon Brown's fault.
- Raymond, Stoke on Trent
Nu Labor go away! No more lies!!
- Georgie, London
Good news. Instead of all the wishy-washy about environmental impacts and all that, let's try to get things done swiftly for once. I am all for the third runway and Heathrow expansion. Even I live under the flight path, I don't mind as I am an aviation fan. I guess that's why I choose to live near the busiest international airpot in the world.
- Ed, Hounslow, London
Does the government really think we are stupid? Let's have an election now.
- Paul, London
Nothing shows better the lies and deceit of the Brown Government than its plans to circumvent environmental regulations in building a third Heathrow runway. Brown and Co. blather on about the environment while covertly working full tilt in the opposite direction. Liars all of them, through and through. Isn't that the definition of a politician?
- Phil Jones, London UK
