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Boris pledges cash for legal bid to stop Heathrow runway
Aline Nassif17.11.08
BORIS JOHNSON will help fund legal action against the Government if it approves a third runway at Heathrow.
The Mayor has pledged £15,000 to anti-expansion campaigners planning a court battle which could halt efforts to have the runway operational by 2030.
One month before Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon is expected to agree to the expansion, Mr Johnson promised the money to the 2M Group of councils opposed to the third runway.
The group, which represents four million people, will analyse the Government's eventual decision and decide whether legal action is possible.
It believes an increase in the number of flights from 480,000 to 700,000 a year will break European Union laws on pollution and blight residents' lives. Its case for a judicial review is likely to rest on whether those EU air pollution limits would be exceeded by a third runway.
The Government white paper on expansion said approval would be given only if the runway met noise and environmental standards. But critics, including the Environment Agency, claim extra nitrogen dioxide emissions will breach EU limits which come into force in 2010.
Hilary Benn, the Environment Secretary, has confirmed that the Government will seek permission to postpone compliance with the limits until 2015. European leaders have already vowed to take enforcement action if the limits are exceeded.
A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "The Mayor is anxious to ensure that the concerns of Londoners whose environment would be affected by a further expansion of Heathrow are fully addressed.
"He is also keen that a thorough examination of the long delayed results of the Government's consultation and environmental tests takes place.
"Together they [the 2M Group] voice a resounding cry of alarm at the prospect of a third runway; and as the representative of every Londoner the Mayor has agreed to make a contribution to the funds 2M is raising to cover the possible costs of a legal challenge."
Edward Lister, leader of Wandsworth council and speaking on behalf of the 2M Group, said: "We are trying to show that the whole basis on which the Government wants to justify expansion is bogus. It's great that Boris is supporting this action and it's not too late for the Government to think again."
Mr Hoon faces fierce opposition in the Commons with some 52 Labour MPs among the 141 members who have signed a motion urging the plan for the third runway to be halted. Several ministers are also known to have doubts about expanding Heathrow.
But BAA, owner of the airport, says its runways are operating at 99 per cent capacity and supporters claim a third runway is crucial if Heathrow is to compete with other "hub" airports in Europe.
Reader views (12)
Quote -
"Hilary Benn, the Environment Secretary, has confirmed that the Government will seek permission to postpone compliance with the limits until 2015. European leaders have already vowed to take enforcement action if the limits are exceeded".
Now as our post offices have been 'saved', despite the pressure from EU law to continue with the original plan that would have seen them close could it be that the EU will back off on the pollution limits too? And if so what is the pay back by the UK to the EU?
Will Mandelson now push Brown into joining the euro so as to smooth things along with his former employer? Lord Mandy owes his former employer far more than he does Brown. Who is stupid enough to fall for a trick like this.
- Stevew, WMids
I am confused, The Conservatives have made it clear they oppose expansion of Heathrow and will overturn any decision made on it if they come to power.
Can someone point me to a recent article where it says otherwise as it appears to be that people are making random obscure statements.
I a west londoner will put my hand in my pocket to oppose expansion of Heathrow, thats how much I beleive this Labour governement have got it wrong.
- William Barrett, Chisiwck
Tonyb, your last paragraph has hit it right on the head. Cameron won't say what his policy is. But if Brown and Hoon and their whip thugs push through a third runway, you can be sure that Cameron will be there saying that he would have opposed it but it's too late now. That's the modus operandi of Cameron. I don't know where he stands on anything. If he really wanted to stop the third runway, Cameron would come out now with a very clear statement that whatever Labour does on it will be reversed. And he could say the same thing about identity cards. And he could have said the same thing about the Lisbon Treaty before Brown shoved it down Brits' throats. But Cameron won't say or do anything. He rides the middle of the road, hoping that an anti-Brown vote will get him in, rather than a pro-Cameron vote. Trying to play both sides. I detest Brown, but he looks attractive when the alternative is a man who won't take a stand on any issue.
- Phil Jones, London UK
My my how quick have BAA been to comment - can we verify the backgrounds of Tim and Andy - bet they are both BAA or Airline employees. This is not about aviation misinformation anymore this is about my humn roghts to enjoy an outside environment and to protect my children from asthma. This is also about standing up to collusion and corruption in government and saying an alternative must be found - direct action with serious real impacts for Labour are the only alternative if it ignores the roar of protest.
- Christian Ball, London, UK
they should build the new runway over at Gatwick or do something about Stansted.
- John Smith, Allston, MA USA
Perhaps it's time for David Cameron to tell people what Conservative policy really is:
1. Support the third runway
2. Support Boris's new airport scheme
3. Continue to raise air passenger taxes to choke off demand
4. Force up landing fees so that airlines using Heathrow as a hub move to a mainland European airports, thus killing UK jobs and reducing the number of places that Brits have direct flights to.
5. has already been ruled out because of Conservative opposition, but IMO is the most sensible one - a second runway at Gatwick
Doing nothing is not an option. My guess is that DC wants the third runway preliminary work to proceed now, so that when he assumes office he can say that he would not have allowed it but given the work already done there is no option but to let it proceed - but please blame the last lot.
- Tonyb, Melbourne, Australia
Andy: I'd say stopping expansion will help ensure that quality of life is preserved for hundreds of thousands of Londoners who would otherwise face 18 hours of noise a day, dangerous levels of pollution around the airport/M4 and a new west London congestion charge zone near Heathrow.
I'd say that's a pretty sizable something.
- Rich, London
How dare Boris use my council tax to oppose something that me and my neighbours agree is the best thing for London?
- Keith Price, Luton, England
When he was mayor Ken Livingstone made funds available to both sides in the debate over the Congestion charge. I take that Boris will gaurantee that if a group in favour of a 3rd runway is formed it to will be guaranteed funding by Boris Johnson?
Will Boris also gaurantee to provide funding to groups opposed to his Island airport scheme?
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
Boris Johnson has done a lot and he will continue do a t to Londoners. Labour is arrogant and they always wanted to implement fail policies. I think time has come now. British People need a change to prevent the disaster is going to make by Labour party.
- Muheed Jeeran, Colombo
I don't think the Environment Agency have said Heathrow expansion will breach limits - they have just said that the government case is weak, bad science ignoring lots of important sensitivity analysis.
Boris is right to press for the data to be looked at sensibly by proper independent experts without an axe to grind - rather than have the model manipulated by conniving civil servants and private companies to give
results that support their preconceived expansion plans.
- Tim Henderson, Hounslow
Using London taxpayers money to opposed the third runway in the court.
Since Boris Johnson been mayor he as not done nothing for London all he done is bring in the drink ban on the transports.
- Andy, London
