An MP has criticised the Airport Commission for 'massively underestimating' the damage that would be caused by expanding Heathrow Airport.
Hayes and Harlington MP John McDonnell said the Airport Commission's report, published yesterday (Tuesday, November 11), rightly highlighted the environmental implications of the proposals, but did not go far enough.
He said: “The [Airports Commission] report at last acknowledges the 'environmental stress' that our area is already under and admits that there would be a 'substantial negative impact on air quality'.
“However, the commission massively underestimates the impact of Heathrow expansion on the overall quality of life of local people. Nevertheless, it is increasingly apparent that Heathrow expansion is the least attractive option for airport growth.”
The independent commission has been tasked with identifying which would be the best option for increasing flight capacity in south-east England: building a third runway at Heathrow, extending one of Heathrow's existing runways, or building a second runway at Gatwick.
Yesterday, it published its assessment of the proposals and opened its analysis for public consultation.
The commission found that enlarging Heathrow Airport would result in a 'substantial negative impact' on air quality, unless 'forceful mitigation measures' were implemented, and that overall noise levels would increase, but fewer people would be affected because of improved aircraft technology.
However, the commission said further work was required to fully assess the environmental impact of the proposals.
Nigel Milton, the airport's director of external relations, said it was 'disappointing' that this work had not been completed in time for the consultation launch.
He added: “What we have said is that we would only allocate onto the third runway the cleanest, quietest aircraft. The bulk of air quality issues are caused by surface transport, so we have committed to switching to hybrid and hydrogen vehicles.”
He also said that with improved rail links fewer staff and passengers would be driving to the airport, and that bosses would consider a congestion charge.
The commission's report also found that a third runway at Heathrow would cost £18.6 billion, as opposed to the £14.6bn predicted by the airport, while extending the northern runway would cost £13.5bn, rather than £10.1bn.
Mr Milton said this discrepancy was largely accounted for by the fact that the commission had added a 20 per cent 'optimism bias' to the projected cost, which he said should only be applied to public sector projects.
Mr Milton said: “We take big issue with the fact that they have added 20 per cent to this cost.
“We are not the Treasury. We know how to procure big projects. We have shown with Terminal 5 and Terminal 2 that we can deliver on budget. We can manage big contracts and procure effectively."
