Watchdog Reports Wants Hold on Heathrow and Stanstead Expansion

A report by the Government's own "green" watchdog has said that the expansion of Heathrow and Stansted airports should be put on hold because estimates of the benefits to the economy and damage to the environment may be wrong.

The report, entitled Breaking the Holding Pattern, found there was "widespread controversy" over evidence on six key areas - calculating the impact on the climate of rising aviation emissions, the benefits of flying to the economy and business, and the extent to which improvements in aircraft technology could reduce or stabilise CO2 from air travel.

Hugh Raven, the commissioner behind the report, said: "The Government thinks its evidence base is adequate. We don't think it is. This data is heavily contested. While we expected to find areas of conflict, we were unprepared for the level of fundamental disagreement over the data underpinning the Government's whole aviation strategy...Until some basic questions are answered, the UK cannot be in a position to make major decisions about the future of air travel. The Government must live up to its commitment to listen to voters' concerns and ensure we make the best possible decisions for everyone involved."

The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) is calling for an independent review of the case for expanding airports. A review would delay the new runway for several years and could lead to the proposal being abandoned.