In responding to Heathrow Airport’s public consultation on its plans for a third runway, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Transport, Cllr Claudia Webbe, has set out the Council’s opposition to the proposals.

In its response, the Council has warned of an increase in air travel that would negatively impact the quality of life of many of the borough’s residents.  

The Council is opposed to the expansion of Heathrow as this would increase air travel and associated emissions. The Council is concerned that increases in air travel will have a detrimental impact on air quality and will increase greenhouse gas emissions. Aircraft emissions not only include carbon and nitrogen, which are currently measured, but also up to a third is water vapour, which also contributes significantly to the greenhouse effect. 

At the Full Council meeting on 27 June 2019, Islington declared an environment and climate emergency, and Cllr Claudia Webbe gave a firm commitment towards making Islington net zero carbon by 2030. The Council believes that the expansion of Heathrow Airport would lead to increased carbon emissions and would further affect air quality in the borough, and in London as a whole.  

The Council also opposes the plans on the grounds that more flights at Heathrow is likely to mean more planes flying over Islington and leading to additional aircraft noise, especially at night. This is particularly unacceptable as many residents already have concerns over night-time aircraft noise.  

Cllr Claudia Webbe, Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said:

“We are opposed to the expansion of Heathrow and to the increase in the number of planes flying over Islington, and its residents that would occur if these proposals go ahead.  

 

“We believe Heathrow has reached its full potential and should not be allowed to expand any further. We don’t believe Heathrow can be expanded in a way that is acceptable in terms of air quality, noise and other environmental impacts. 

 

“Heathrow and the Government must rethink their plans for expansion, particularly in light of the environment and climate emergency that we face.”