Heathrow plans ‘too vague’

MPs have backed expanding Heathrow Airport – but only if there are improvements to the plans.

The Commons Transport Select Committee is calling for tougher safeguards on air quality, noise, connectivity and charges before the third runway scheme gets the go-ahead.

The Government has named Heathrow as its preferred option for increasing airport capacity in south-east England.

Outline planning consent will be given by Parliament if it approves a National Policy Statement setting out requirements for the scheme. Committee chairwoman Lilian Greenwood said: “Thousands of people across London could be exposed to worse levels of noise, air quality and traffic congestion.

“There must be sufficient measures to protect or compensate them.”

Heathrow is hoping it will be able to begin construction work in early 2021, with the runway completed by the end of 2025.

Willie Walsh, boss of British Airways’ owner IAG, said: “Heathrow is the world’s most expensive hub airport, and its current costs proposal is exorbitant and unacceptably vague.”