AEF launches new campaign: Why the third runway plan can’t fly

19th July, 2017

AEF has published a new infographic setting out why the draft airports National Policy Statement (NPS) fails to address key environmental and public health challenges associated with the Government’s plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport. AEF urges MPs not to vote in favour of the NPS unless Government is able to demonstrate a third runway can be delivered while meeting air quality and climate change obligations, and while providing adequate public protection from noise.

The period for public comment on the draft NPS closed at the end of May 2017, but the process of parliamentary consultation was still ongoing when June’s general election brought all business to a halt. It is anticipated that this process will resume in the autumn prior to a vote by MPs to approve the NPS in 2018. If voted through, there will be little opportunity for future governments to revisit or amend the NPS.

Over the coming months, we will be publishing a series of briefings setting out in greater detail the key policy issues that, we believe, must be addressed before any vote takes place on approval or otherwise of the NPS.