Heathrow third runway plans scrapped by new government

by GD Wed 12 May 2010, 5:10 pm

Lord Justice Carnwath said the public consultation process used was invalid

Plans for a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport have been scrapped by the new government.
Councils, residents and green groups had fought the expansion scheme, which the former prime minister said was needed for economic reasons.
John Stewart from Hacan ClearSkies, which campaigned against the runway said he was "absolutely delighted".
Airport operator BAA said it would work with the new government to provide strong trading connections.
The decision to cancel the plans came in a joint Conservative-Liberal Democrat policy agreement.
The new government said it would also refuse any additional runways at Gatwick and Stansted airports.
'Bizarre proposal'
In a statement BAA said: "We will work with the new government to ensure that airport policy provides the strong international trading connections on which the UK's jobs and future competitiveness depend."

Corks will be popping for a few days after this announcement, though probably not at BAA headquarters Heathrow third runway plans scrapped by new government End_quote_rb

Ben Stewart, Greenpeace

Mr Stewart said: "The third runway is dead in the water.
"Residents under the flight path are delighted and people who stood to lose their homes are relieved.
"It is also good for London as a whole as it would have been bad for the environment and it was not needed for the city's economic well-being.
"I'm absolutely delighted."
Ben Stewart, from environment group Greenpeace, added: "A third runway at Heathrow was always a bizarre proposal that made no sense to anybody who understood the impact aviation has on our climate.
"Corks will be popping for a few days after this announcement, though probably not at BAA headquarters."
In March, Heathrow's third runway opponents won a High Court battle which forced the then Labour government to review its policy.
Lord Justice Carnwath ruled the public consultation process used was invalid. (from BBC)