Heathrow 'must meet EU targets'

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The government cannot contemplate allowing Heathrow airport's expansion if it fails to meet pollution targets, a minister has said.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said he was determined it would meet EU targets for air quality.

The Department for Transport is due to decide in January whether a third runway should be built at Heathrow.

Trade group the Society of British Aerospace Companies said the expansion would fall within permitted EU levels.

Airport owner BAA says the expansion is vital for Heathrow to stay competitive.

But critics say it will lead to an increase in emissions of nitrogen dioxide and particulates, and that noise pollution will rise for households under flight paths.

'Emission problem'

In October a number of Labour MPs joined Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in signing an early day motion urging the government to rethink its support for Heathrow's expansion.

Mr Benn said he was looking at air quality and noise concerns "in particular" during government consultation on the plan.

He said: "We have a problem with nitrogen dioxide around Heathrow, principally because of the traffic. Some of it is the aircraft."

There would be serious consequences if Britain failed to meet EU targets, he added.

"You are then in trouble with the (European) Commission, you get infraction proceedings and then off you go - which is not something we can contemplate," Mr Benn said.

We are confident that Heathrow expansion can go ahead within the relevant environmental restrictions Society of British Aerospace Companies

He played down arguments that "green" technological improvements to air transport would enable the UK to meet EU targets while still expanding airport capacity.

But Society of British Aerospace Companies spokesman Matthew Knowles said aircraft were currently "as fuel efficient as hybrid cars, and new aircraft perform even better".

The aviation industry pledged to cut noise and carbon dioxide emissions in new aircraft by 50% and nitrogen oxides by 80% by 2020, he added.

"With this plan in place we are confident that Heathrow expansion can go ahead within the relevant environmental restrictions."