Why Heathrow is no longer a choice between the environment and the economy

SPONSORED POST

There is no denying that air quality is a real and present concern for local communities and an issue London needs to tackle urgently for people’s health and longevity.  Yet with the recent Supreme Court judgement helping to focus the attention of government, local authorities and industries on the need for concerted and prompt action to decrease emissions, now is the time to work in partnership with others to solve the issues. 

As part of their information gathering around the causes of air quality, the Labour leadership team will have observed the role Heathrow has already played in reducing annual emissions from airport activity by 16% over five years.  What is not widely understood is that by far the greatest contribution to local air pollution in Central London and areas around West London and Heathrow arises from non-airport related road traffic. That’s why we have adopted a leadership role and in April launched an Emissions Blueprint to accelerate, stretch and add to our existing Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan. Coordinated and meaningful action is needed from Government and City Hall within the framework of an integrated transport strategy to get cleaner vehicles onto major roads and motorways.

The Shadow Environment Minister was incorrect in her reported assertion that air quality at Heathrow has declined over the last six years. It has not. Two monitors not compliant near Heathrow are beside motorway junctions and all airport-related activity including traffic at those junctions’ stands at 6% and 16% of total emissions. In a National Air Quality Consultation, DEFRA also confirm that through a coordinated approach road links in these areas will be compliant by 2020. Heathrow will work closely with national and regional government, industry and business to help accelerate the timeline for this compliance.

At its most recent party conference, the Labour party set out four tests it said it would use to assess the Government’s response to the Airports Commission’s recommendation. The Airports Commission’s analysis clearly shows that Heathrow can pass all four.  Our new plans meet future aviation demand, are compatible with the UK’s climate change targets and would reduce the number of people exposed to aircraft noise compared to today. It can also be delivered within legally binding air quality limits whilst generating 180,000 jobs and £211bn in economic growth to the whole country. That’s why the majority of the Labour movement is behind Heathrow expansion.

Our confidence in our ability to tackle air quality in the future stems in part from our strong track record to date. Since 1991, despite almost doubling passenger numbers at the airport, airport-related road traffic has remained largely static and the number of airport passengers who use public transport has grown to around 41%. Plans we are implementing mean this trend will continue.

Heathrow is already the UK’s best connected transport hub. It has the only dedicated non-stop express airport rail link in the UK. It has the UK’s busiest bus and coach station and the world’s largest car-share scheme. It is the only airport with London Underground stations. And by 2020 every car or small van we own will be electric. Within 5 years of an expanded operation, on average two trains per minute will go through Heathrow connecting North, South, East and West with Crossrail, Western Rail Access, Southern Rail Access and an HS2 link at nearby Old Oak Common.

The Commission has been clear it believes the mitigation measures Heathrow is proposing to deliver in partnership with key stakeholders around the airport and across London will be effective in tackling emissions. Our new plans don’t force a choice between the environment and the economy – it will deliver for both. We will work with any party to help make it happen.   

Improving air quality across London is not something that Heathrow or any other organisation can do on its own. We call on politicians from all parties to work in constructive partnership with industry and the community to set a global standard that urban areas around the world can follow.   

Matt Gorman, Sustainability & Environment Director, Heathrow Airport