Government should rule out Heathrow expansion

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 6th Nov 2003

Responding to reports that the British Airports Authority has conceded expansion at Heathrow is impossible in the foreseeable future because it would breach EU pollution limits, London's LibDem Euro-MP and anti-third runway campaigner Baroness Sarah Ludford said:

"I welcome the fact that it is EU law protecting residents from inappropriate expansion against a Government more interested in pleasing its corporate pals than listening to the voters.

"BAA know that it would be impossible for them to win agreement to a third runway at Heathrow if subjected to a full public inquiry. So they are manoeuvring before the Government white paper is published.

"They are trying to keep their airports at least in the running for expansion. But they underestimate the residents around Heathrow if they think that announcing a stay of execution will dampen opposition.

"Opponents don't want the tarmac pushed elsewhere, we challenge any need for more runways without prior demand management and better railways. We insist the government abandon its reckless and damaging 'predict and provide' policy."