Airport expansion remains ‘if’ not ‘where’
WWF today questioned the automatic assumption that a new runway will be built at either Heathrow or Gatwick by 2030, the two airports recommended for potential expansion by the Airports Commission.
In response to the publication this week of the three shortlisted proposals for expansion by Heathrow Airport, Heathrow Hub and Gatwick Airport, Jean Leston, Transport Policy Manager at WWF said: “It’s all very well for these airport promoters to be pushing for their favourite option to be chosen. But we mustn’t forget that getting a new runway built is not a foregone conclusion.
“There remain very serious issues about whether building a new runway is realistically compatible with the UK Climate Change Act, or will exacerbate existing noise and air quality infringements and create more ‘losers’ than ‘winners’ as a result. It’s also far from certain that the next Government will opt to build a new runway either.”
