London Assembly members are to discuss the environmental impact of Heathrow airport on local residents and staff.
Modelling by the Greater London Authority suggests the air around Heathrow is likely to continue exceeding legal limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx), despite measures in the Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy to tackle London’s emissions.
At Thursday’s meeting, the Assembly’s Environment Committee will question witnesses about action being taken to reduce emissions and discuss airport owner BAA’s Noise Action Plan, designed to manage the impacts of aircraft noise.
Representatives of BAA, the Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (HACAN), the London borough of Hounslow and Transport for London will attend the meeting.
Committee Chair Murad Qureshi said: “We have investigated air and noise pollution around Heathrow extensively over the past six years to try to ensure those responsible are keeping it in check.
“Poor air quality can contribute to serious ill-health and premature death, while noise pollution can have a negative effect on the lives of people living and working close to Heathrow airport.”
The Environment Committee meeting will take place on Thursday 20 October from 10am in Committee Room 5 at City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1).
Tim says
It is to be hoped that BAA / Mayor work to implement some of the Heathrow surface access strategies that were developed at the time the third runway was being considered. Then they were abandoned as the optimistic air quality modelling predicted they would not be needed. Unfortunately , two years on ,we find that new Euro standard diesels on the road are not delivering what the manufacturers get in the factory and Heathrow local air quality is illegal.