Forum Topic

Latest attempt to stop Heathrow expansion fails

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/01/high-court-dismisses-attempt-to-block-third-heathrow-runwayCampaigners fighting to stop the expansion of Heathrow have failed in their attempt to block the new runway in the high court.Five judicial reviews were challenging the legality of the government’s decision to allow a third runway at Heathrow airport.One of the legal actions was taken by a coalition of Greenpeace, the mayor of London and local councils – including the prime minister’s local authority, Windsor and Maidenhead – which will be affected by noise and pollution from the increased flights.In another action, Friends of the Earth alleged that the government’s decision to allow the expansion is unlawful because it failed to take account of the need to mitigate climate change under the Paris Agreement.On Wednesday, the high court dismissed all the legal challenges to the plans to expand the airport.

Adrian Pearce ● 2751d6 Comments

Very depressing - and from what I've read the rejection of the case was so solid that an appeal seems unlikely even to be allowed. We can but hope.

Richard Carter ● 2751d

The FT, April 25, quoted DfT data: "Greenhouse gases from aeroplanes hav ore thab doubled from 17.1m tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 1990 to 35.5m tonnes in 2016."They also quoted Greg Archer, UK director of Transport & Environment: "The aviatipn industry isn't reducing its emissions overall. It's doing immensely poorly".So to combat global warming we shall all be banned from eating meat, have to throw out our gas boilers and cookers, but those of us under the flight path will have to endure an additional 700 planes over our heads every day.Couldn't make it up. Are the learned judges unaware of this?

Elizabeth Balsom ● 2750d

Stuck in the Middle Ages.  Tied up in protocol.  Out of date?

Philippa Bond ● 2750d

You don't have to be a devotee of the Daily Mail to wonder if these guys are "the enemy of the people".It was Theresa May who gave the go-ahead to the third runway. It will never occur to the Tory grandees that this will be the determining factor when I vote on May 23. Not that my vote matters. Trouble is, I've no idea where is the most effective place to put my X.The LibDems are opposed to the 3rd runway. No idea about Change UK.

Elizabeth Balsom ● 2746d

Cameron is famous for the "No Ifs No Buts No Third Runway"https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/08/heathrow-airport-polluting-new-runway-macho-follyAnd as for Boris...

Philippa Bond ● 2746d

Lib Dems and Greens would be opposed to a 3rd runway. Change UK also have an environmental policy.  The  Lib Dems are, currently, the only party who is clear on wanting to stop Brexit altogether, although the Greens, Change UK and the UK European Party are pro-EU. Your vote does matter, as the MEP elections are not first past the post.

Clare Noeken ● 2746d