Letter submitted in 2016
Letter to the Prime Minister
July 2016
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In July 2016, the Richmond Heathrow Campaign wrote to the Prime Minister to draw her attention to the absence of any economic case for expanding Heathrow. You can see this letter by clicking on the image or here. |
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Consultation responses submitted in 2015
Further responses to the Airports Commission
Air quality assessmentThe call for responses is in the Commission’s Extensive Consultation Documentation. Due 29th May 2015 |
Summary of RHC responseHeathrow expansion cannot take place without delaying the time when current air quality limits can be met. The Government would not be in a position to approve the expansion knowing that it will worsen the degree to which air quality fails to meet quality limits. The report estimates at least 100,000 people would be affected by a worsening of the air quality resulting from Heathrow expansion. Mitigation can generally be bought but the question is whether it can be afforded at the cost of £20bn estimated by TfL. The Supreme Court’s recent decision on setting a timetable by the end of 2015 for compliance on air quality as soon as possible is likely to require firm action. Expanding Heathrow under these circumstances seems wildly optimistic and we believe undeliverable. |
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Increasing the UK’s
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Summary of RHC responseIncreased runway capacity at Heathrow does not add value to the wider UK economy. Re-distributing passengers and flights from the regions results in economic dis-benefits. Noise costs are substantial, impacting 1.5 million people based on WHO standard levels. The value of international transfers is substantially overstated and with it the single airport hub concept. A dispersed model that makes best use of all five London airports without any new runways is the best solution. Building a new runway will need massive public subsidy. There is still substantial uncertainty regarding the impact of carbon emissions, air pollution and surface access congestion. |
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