2 May 2019
On Wednesday 1 May, the High Court dismissed all the legal challenges to the Government’s plans to expand Heathrow Airport. Challenges were brought by five borough councils and the London Mayor on grounds including noise, air pollution and surface access. Friends of the Earth and Plan B also challenged the government on the grounds of inconsistency with the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Victoria George and other activists from the Green party joined members of BASH, Brentford’s own campaign group against the 3rd runway and Friends of the Earth at the court to hear the judgement.
Victoria said ‘Of course we were disappointed and frustrated as we listened to the judge dismiss all five claims. But we were also aware that this was based on whether government had followed correct legal process in their proposal rather than on the merits or otherwise of expansion. Almost every day we hear more about the dangers to health associated with air and noise pollution, and on the same day as this ruling, the government declared a climate change emergency. Expanding Heathrow is now absolutely in contradiction with government’s own environmental and health policies. Appeals are already being prepared, and we will continue to push for Hounslow Council to join with other boroughs to genuinely fight against this irresponsible, out-moded proposal.’
