‘Worst fear’ confirmed for airport

PRIME MINISTER SUPPORTS THIRD RUNWAY AT HEATHROW

LIZ Truss has signalled her support for the expansion of Heathrow Airport which would see the addition of a third runway.

During PMQs on Wednesday, October 12, the MP for Richmond Park, Sarah Onley voiced her concerns for the expansion, saying it would be “disastrous”

The Liberal Democrat MP Ms Onley asked the prime minister if she agreed with the comments of the transport secretary Anne-Marie

Trevelyan – who last week described herself as a ‘supporter’ of the West London airport’s expansion at Conservative Party Conference.

In her response, the prime minister stated that she “absolutely agreed with what the transport secretary said in her comments”, signalling her support. Ms Onley also highlighted that Liz Truss has previously stated she would support a fourth runway at Heathrow.

Speaking in the Commons, Ms Onley said: “For my constituents in Richmond Park and for communities across South West London, from

Wimbledon to Elmbridge, any expansion of Heathrow would be disastrous.

“A third runway would see over six million more tonnes of carbon pumped into the atmosphere every year at two million households affected by increased noise levels.”

Referring to the transport secretary’s comments, Ms Onley then asked the prime minister if she stood by her support for the expansion, or if she would rule out Government support for the construction of a third runway at Heathrow. Liz Truss then responded that she “absolutely agreed” with the transport secretary’s earlier comments.

“What we need to do is make sure that industries like the air industry become more environmentally friendly”, she said.

“That’s the way we will help grow the economy but also serve the environment.”

Speaking after PMQ’s, Ms Onley said the prime minister had confirmed the “worst fears” for her constituents in Richmond Park. “This expansion would see six million extra tonnes of carbon pumped into our atmosphere every year, a disaster for the goal of hitting Net Zero by 2050, whilst filling the homes of over two million people with added noise and pollution.

“As the local MP, I will fight tooth and nail to stop any prevent any expansion at Heathrow. Liz Truss’ Conservatives simply cannot be trusted to protect our communities from Heathrow expansion.”

PHOTO: GRAHAME LARTER Plane landing over the village of Longford, north-west of Heathrow, and likely to be destroyed if a third runway is built