SIR Howard Davies’s Aviation Commission’s interim report selected Gatwick and Heathrow airport as their potential options for aviation expansion. At Heathrow the report proposes a new runway or the extension of the existing northern runway to enable it to operate as two separate runways.
Earlier, Darren Johnson, Chair of the London Assembly’s Environment Committee, wrote with London Mayor Boris Johnson to London MPs stating that they are “unanimously opposed to Heathrow expansion in any form. The environmental catastrophe that the airport represents cannot be allowed to worsen”
Darren Johnson said:
“This decision completely disregards public opinion and spells even more noise misery for residents living under flight paths. Londoners must be given their say on the future of Heathrow and the Davies Commission should not be used as a way of by-passing that.
“The aviation’s contribution to the economy is massively overstated, it is only the 26th biggest industry in Britain. The capacity crisis has been largely manufactured by narrow commercial interest.
“If we are to stand any chance of avoiding the immense risks involved with runaway climate change, we urgently need to substantially reduce carbon emissions. This includes cutting the number of both short and long haul flights in London and the South East and also raising the price of flights to reflect the environment damage they cause”