Greenpeace joins proposed Heathrow legal fight

Opposition by the Royal Borough to a third Heathrow runway has been given a boost after Greenpeace announced it would join forces with it and other local authorities if a legal fight is launched.

The environmental activist group said today it would share the costs of funding a judicial review with the Royal Borough and three other local authorities.

It will also bring environmental expertise to the group, which also includes Hillingdon, Richmond and Wandsworth councils.

The proposed expansion is due to be discussed by Theresa May's cabinet tomorrow.

Greenpeace UK’s executive director, John Sauven, said: “A third runway at Heathrow would be an air pollution and carbon time bomb. It would jeopardise the government's chances of meeting legally-binding air pollution and climate targets designed to protect the health and security of millions of people.

“If ministers are willing to trample over these fundamental laws, we're ready to take them to court to stop them.

"Theresa May has made much of her determination to help ordinary people and hold corporations to account.

“The decision on airport expansion will be the acid test of whether she's willing to deliver on that promise.”

The leader of the council, Cllr Simon Dudley, said: "A third runway at Heathrow isn't a deliverable alternative so isn't a realistic choice.

“As the number of claimants in our judicial review group increases, so does the coalition of opposition and available financial resources to stop a third runway at Heathrow, and protect our residents."

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