FRIENDS of the Earth have spoken out against the Heathrow expansion decision, pointing out a government report which admits that the move will worsen air pollution.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced on Tuesday that the government is backing plans to build a third runway at the airport.
Reacting to a government commissioned analysis on the impact of air pollution from Heathrow expansion, Friends of the Earth pollution campaigner Jenny Bates criticised the decision.
She said: “Heathrow expansion is grim news for people already struggling to cope with poor air quality.
“A new runway will cause more air pollution in surrounding locations – and shockingly this report admits it could even make it worse in areas that already exceed EU legal limits.
“The government’s argument that it’s acceptable to worsen air quality in areas already blighted by illegal air pollution - because other parts of the capital are even worse - is preposterous.
“With 10,000 early deaths in the capital each year from air pollution this approach shows a callous disregard for people’s health. We believe this approach is at odds with EU rules on tackling air pollution.”
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