A campaign against the expansion of London Heathrow Airport has been stopped by the High Court in the UK. Local councils, residents, environmental charities and London Mayor Sadiq Khan challenged Heathrow’s expansion claiming that a new runway would have a negative impact on the surrounding area.
Plans to expand Heathrow were given the go ahead in June 2018, with a third runway and new terminal facilities on the cards. According to Heathrow, the airport has been operating at 98% capacity for over a decade. Heathrow claims that the expansion of the airport will help the UK secure its economic future and reaffirm its status as an international aviation hub. Under the current expansion plan, Heathrow will begin construction in 2021, with a third runway operational by 2026.
High court judges rejected the campaigners arguments against Heathrow expansion and have ruled the plans as “lawful”. Campaigners claimed that the plans will increase noise and air pollution and congestion in the local area.
Commenting on today’s High Court ruling on the expansion judicial review claims, a Heathrow spokesperson said, “We are delighted with today’s ruling which is a further demonstration that the debate on Heathrow expansion has been had and won, not only in parliament, but in the courts also.
“We are getting on with delivering the once-in-a-generation project that will connect Britain to global growth, providing thousands of new jobs and an economic boost for this country and its future generations.”