Martin believes that the Third Runway for Heathrow Airport is the wrong course and as Labour’s Vice Chair for the environment, he has taken a prominent role in campaigning against the proposed expansion.

The arguments against a third runway are many, including:

• The project will produce a poor return on investment and does not justify its massive cost.
• The environmental costs in terms of increased carbon emissions cannot be justified by the slender benefits of the project.
• 700 homes will have to be demolished to make way for runway three involving the destruction of an entire community who have already had to put up with too much.
• The increased noise and disruption caused by a significant increase in flights will further blight the lives of those living nearby.
• Heathrow’s further expansion will involve the construction of further terminals, and more passengers. Ground access arrangements are already poor, particularly from the west and the current proposals fail to address this.
• The expansion is unnecessary for the continued health of aviation. There is no untied view in the aviation industry on the need for a third runway.

Look at a map of the proposals here.

Read the Commons Early Day Motion here.

Although the decision has been made in principle, there is still an opportunity to campaign against the third runway by purchasing a plot of land within the site of the proposed development. Click here for more details from the Greenpeace website.

 

Martin’s Actions on Heathrow Runway 3

Salter Disappointed with Third Runway Decision

Cross-Party Motion Against Heathrow Expansion

Support in Campaign Against Third Heathrow Runway

Call on PM for a Re-think on Third Runway

Salter Calls for a Re-Think on Third Heathrow Runway