Final Decision on London’s Third Runway Looms Imminent

The wait for airport expansion in London is almost over, with early indications favoring Heathrow. Those protesting against the environmental impact of this choice have received backing from charity Greenpeace.

The British government has said that it will announce its final decision on whether to expand London’s Heathrow (LHR) or Gatwick (LGW) airport next week.

While Members of Parliament (MPs) will not be voting on the decision until next year, the BBC has revealed that there will be a limited window in which dissenting ministers within Prime Minister Theresa May’s cabinet will be able to voice their opinion. Unusually, the decision will not be taken by the full ministerial cabinet, but by the government’s airports sub-committee.

The move to allow dissenting parties to speak is being interpreted as an indication that Heathrow will receive the third runway. The expansion of LHR has been criticized by a number of high-profile government figures, including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

The hope is that, by allowing ministers to voice their protest, the prime minister will avoid potential resignations from her cabinet.

A spokesperson for the prime minister was quoted by the BBC as saying that the move is a “mature, common-sense approach reflecting the fact that many ministers have long-held views and that ministers are also MPs and some have specific constituency issues that they have to address.”

A number of people have raised concerns over the environmental impact that a third runway could have on communities near the airport. It is feared that an expansion could increase noise and air pollution within these areas.

According to website AOL, international environmental group Greenpeace has formed an “alliance” with Hillingdon, Richmond, Wandsworth and Windsor and Maidenhead councils, the.four local authorities situated in close proximity of LHR. The group says that it is preparing to mount a legal challenge to expansion at the airport and will provide these councils with expertise.

John Sauven, Greenpeace’s UK executive director, was quoted by the website as saying that “a third runway at Heathrow would be an air pollution and carbon time bomb.”

Speaking of the imminent decision, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling admitted that “although there will undoubtedly be opposition to whatever we do, the will of Parliament, the democratically-elected parliament of our nation, is what will ultimately count.”

[Photo: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS]