Campaigners vow to continue fight against Heathrow's third runway

Campaigners opposed Heathrow Airport's plans to build a third runway have vowed to keep up their fight against the airport. The chairman of the organisation Stop Heathrow Expansion has said the group will keep working to "see this threat off for good".

Heathrow Airport's CEO, John Holland-Kaye, recently said he would provide an update and timeline for the airport's third runway plans in "early 2023". But in a message to those in the area, campaigner Justine Bayley said she was "extremely optimistic” Heathrow’s expansion would not happen.

Ms Bayley, chairwoman of Stop Heathrow Expansion, said: "Local people who live immediately around the airport deserve to have the blight that Heathrow brings lifted. They have lived with the threat of the third runway hanging over them for far too long, impacting their life choices and overall health and quality of life. Residents have had enough of living in limbo.

"Despite everything, we remain extremely optimistic that Heathrow expansion will never happen. At our recent AGM, Hillingdon Council confirmed they would continue to oppose all forms of expansion at Heathrow – whether that be a third runway or an increase in the number of flights on the existing runways – and many other local Councils are taking the same position.

"Even if Heathrow’s forthcoming announcement is not good news for us, there are still many hurdles left for them to face before any construction could begin. Stricter climate change and environmental laws have been in force since the last proposal was put forward; they will be a major stumbling block for yet another doomed attempt at securing a third runway.

"Hillingdon remains the second most polluted London Borough, largely due to emissions from around Heathrow. Heathrow will have to fight a more difficult battle than ever before in their attempt to secure planning permission. We remain ready to see this threat off for good."

This article can be viewed on Berkshire Live here.