We wait an announcement later this week by the '2M Group' of 23 local authorities about the judicial review of the Government's decision to allow a third runway at Heathrow.
2M's members argue that transport minister Geoff Hoon failed to conduct a lawful consultation and failed to provide adequate reasons for his irrational decision, fatally-flawed regarding the economic case, breaching air pollution limits, creating intolerable congestion on local roads and public transport, and increasing noise disturbance.
Meanwhile, we read that the new Sellafield nuclear recycling plant, opened in 2001 after gaining government approval despite warnings over its economic viability and reliance on unproven technology, has already cost over £1bn, continues to cost taxpayers £90m every year, and is still not working properly.
The final bill for the plant will be even higher, once decommissioning costs are included.
Can Geoff Hoon belatedly do the decent thing, admit past mistakes, and save the costs of this judicial review by shooting his white elephant now? The sooner we can all put this sorry and deluded episode behind us, the sooner we can focus on resolving the current economic and impending environmental crises.
JOHN HUNT by email.
