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BAA agrees to Heathrow watchdog | BAA agrees to Heathrow watchdog |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Heathrow's owner says it will accept an independent body with the power to limit flights for environmental reasons - if a third runway is approved. | Heathrow's owner says it will accept an independent body with the power to limit flights for environmental reasons - if a third runway is approved. |
BAA says that if it wins the battle for a third runway and more flights, it will welcome being held to strict noise and pollution controls. | BAA says that if it wins the battle for a third runway and more flights, it will welcome being held to strict noise and pollution controls. |
The expansion plans have drawn fierce criticism from environmental campaigners and local residents. | The expansion plans have drawn fierce criticism from environmental campaigners and local residents. |
A decision on whether or not it will proceed is expected next month. | A decision on whether or not it will proceed is expected next month. |
BAA says that by asking for a government-appointed assessor, it can reassure the public that it will adhere to environmental regulations. | BAA says that by asking for a government-appointed assessor, it can reassure the public that it will adhere to environmental regulations. |
'Stringent' criteria | 'Stringent' criteria |
Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA, said: "We have listened to the many arguments around expansion at Heathrow. | |
"Although the economic case remains compelling, we understand that we can only increase the number of flights if we can safeguard levels of noise and air quality." | |
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Campaigner Nic Ferriday: 'It'll impact on people for 20 miles in every direction' | Campaigner Nic Ferriday: 'It'll impact on people for 20 miles in every direction' |
Mr Matthews said that if the airport did not respect limits set by government, the number of flights in and out of the busy west London airport could be capped. | Mr Matthews said that if the airport did not respect limits set by government, the number of flights in and out of the busy west London airport could be capped. |
The expansion would include a new runway, allowing the annual number of inward and outbound flights to be increased to 605,000 by 2020 and 702,000 by 2030 - up from 480,000 today. | The expansion would include a new runway, allowing the annual number of inward and outbound flights to be increased to 605,000 by 2020 and 702,000 by 2030 - up from 480,000 today. |
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
Mr Matthews also said BAA only plans to use runways for both take-off and landings in quick succession - so-called "mixed-mode" - at peak times of the day and only once the airport has improved its record on flight delays. | Mr Matthews also said BAA only plans to use runways for both take-off and landings in quick succession - so-called "mixed-mode" - at peak times of the day and only once the airport has improved its record on flight delays. |
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has said any expansion approvals will come with "stringent" environmental criteria. | Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has said any expansion approvals will come with "stringent" environmental criteria. |
Both BAA and the airport's biggest tenant, British Airways, have described the third runway as "vital" to the UK economy. | Both BAA and the airport's biggest tenant, British Airways, have described the third runway as "vital" to the UK economy. |
The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats oppose the idea of a new runway, as do environmental groups, while some backbench Labour MPs are calling for a rethink. | |
Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said: "We have seen this all before. | |
"What BAA needs to realise is that people do not want a third runway, we do not need a third runway, and under a Conservative government there will not be a third runway." | |
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said: "This is a worthless promise, as BAA has to stick to EU emissions limits anyway." | |
John Sauven, of Greenpeace, said: "If BAA builds a third runway at Heathrow there is simply no way the airport will avoid breaking pollution limits. That's a fact." | |
Wandsworth Council leader Edward Lister, speaking on behalf of the 2M Group of councils opposed to Heathrow's expansion, said: "No-one will believe claims by either BAA or the government that flights will be cut in the future in the light of environmental concerns." |