EU law rules out Heathrow Expansion

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 3rd Dec 2003

London's LibDem Euro-MP Baroness Sarah Ludford, responding to advanced reports that the Government's aviation white paper will favour expansion at Stansted over Heathrow, commented:

"BA and BAA have been trying to bounce the government into approving a Third Runway at Heathrow solely to suit their own business priorities. Left to its own devices, this government might have agreed."

"But thank goodness for EU environment laws and pollution limits protecting Londoners! They are stepping into the breach caused by Labour's failure to have a sustainable aviation policy."

"In their support for night flights which ruin the sleep of residents in south-west London, we have seen the government put profit before people. Ending the threat of further blight to London homes is a huge vindication of EU environmental laws."

"I wish Stansted residents well in their fight to resist environmentally destructive expansion there and force the government to invest in a viable transport network including high-speed trains that could hold a candle to French ones."

The EU limits that will frustrate a third runway at Heathrow are set out principally in a 1999 Directive (1999/30/EC) which imposes strict limits on levels of nitrogen oxides to which the public may be subjected. Further development at Heathrow would greatly exceed these limits.

EU measures against noise pollution will also have a protective effect for London residents. A 2002 Directive (2002/30/EC) highlights the importance of environmental considerations regarding the aviation industry and seeks to limit or reduce the number of people significantly affected by the harmful effects of noise.