Sadiq Khan

Sadiq Khan slams Heathrow expansion decision



London mayor Sadiq Khan has slammed plans to expand Heathrow Airport as “the wrong decision”.


Mr Khan’s comments followed an announcement by transport secretary Chris Grayling, which revealed that Heathrow had been selected over Gatwick Airport as the preferred choice to receive a new runway.

The mayor alleged that a third runway at Heathrow would mean an extra 200,000 people and 124 more schools would be exposed to aircraft noise, as well as impacting air quality in the capital.

“An expanded Gatwick would have boosted our economy without causing these huge air and noise pollution problems and it could be built quicker and cheaper,” Mr Khan claimed.

“I will continue to challenge this decision and I am exploring how I can best be involved in any legal process over the coming months.

“Most urgently, the government must set out how it's possible for Londoners not to suffer from the additional air and noise pollution that we know will be created by an additional runway at Heathrow.”

Despite Mr Khan’s concerns, the transport secretary revealed that Heathrow had pledged to provide over £700m for noise insulation for residential properties.

Furthermore, Mr Grayling insisted that the government had followed a recommendation from the Airports Commission and that the work would now be deliverable within air quality limits.

A six-and-a-half hour ban on scheduled night flights, quieter planes and more predictable timetables have also been proposed to reduce noise pollution.

The expansion will only be allowed to proceed on the basis of a £2.6bn compensation and mitigation package for community support, insulation and respite from noise.

Mr Grayling added: “The step that government is taking today is truly momentous.

“I am proud that after years of discussion and delay this government is taking decisive action to secure the UK’s place in the global aviation market – securing jobs and business opportunities for the next decade and beyond.”



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