Mayor of London threatens lawsuit over Heathrow expansion

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is threatening to sue the government if ministers proceed with plans to construct a third runway at Heathrow airport.

The Mayor, along with a coalition of local authorities that represents over four million Britons, has said that the proposed expansion, which would see the number of annual flights at the airport increase from 480,000 to 700,000, would be in breach of EU air pollution regulations.

Any legal action could mean that Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon’s target of runway completion by 2030 would be put in jeopardy. Hoon is expected to approve the expansion before the end of this year.

A spokesman for Johnson said that the May and the local authorities coalition was analyzing the government decision to see if there were ground for legal action.

The Mayor has committed £15,000 initially towards the cost of a legal challenge if his lawyers agree that there are grounds for a lawsuit, and has said that City Hall may contribute more to the action if necessary. A spokesman for the Mayor has said that the business case for a third Heathrow runway does not outweigh the significant noise and air pollution concerns raised.

Whether or not there is a judicial review is likely to depend on a determination if EU air pollution limits would be exceeded by the increase in flights at Heathrow. A white paper issued by the government has said that approval would only be granted if environmental and noise standard are met.

www.heathrowairport.com