Vince Cable

With the publication last week of the Department of Transport study on NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) levels at and around Heathrow airport, campaigners against Heathrow expansion have been given powerful new ammunitions, since there will be a legal limit to NO2 levels in 2010, which is already being breached.

Vincent Cable MP has joined HACAN and other campaigning groups in calling for a halt to expansion in the light of the Department's findings whether expansion takes the form of a 3rd runway or mixed mode systems. Vincent Cable said "It would be highly irresponsible for the Government to press ahead with Heathrow expansion when there is no indication at present how this expansion can be accommodated within the pollution limit.

"In fact we have, I think, reached a turning point in the debate. Awareness of local pollution and of the major contribution which aviation makes to global warming may force decision makers in government to think afresh about their assumptions."