Government's case for Heathrow expansion faces challenges

Council leaders, including Richmond's, are calling on the Government to strengthen its proposed tests for Heathrow expansion, warning the current plans "do not do enough to protect residents from increased noise, pollution and congestion".

In a joint letter on Friday (28 August)to the Transport Secretary, leaders of several London and surrounding boroughs say the "Government has yet to properly make the case that a third runway is needed, while the proposed Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS) does not set strong enough safeguards on aircraft noise, air quality, climate change and the impact on local communities".

Richmond Council's Leader Councillor Gareth Roberts, who has long opposed Heathrow's expansion and is backing the joint call, said: "Heathrow is an important part of London's economy, but that cannot mean asking our residents to accept more noise, dirtier air and greater congestion.

"The Government needs to properly demonstrate that expansion is needed and put robust protections in place for the communities that would bear the consequences. Good growth doesn't come at any cost."

The letter, signed by the leaders of Richmond, Wandsworth, Southwark, Hillingdon, Kingston, Sutton and Windsor & Maidenhead, calls on the Government to strengthen the proposed HENPS and properly consider alternatives, including better use of existing airport capacity, improved rail links and a shift from domestic flights to rail.

In their letter, the leaders say: "For many of our residents, the issue is not abstract national infrastructure policy.

"It is the daily reality of aircraft noise over homes, schools, parks and town centres; disturbed sleep from early morning and late-night flights; concern about pollution on already congested roads; and the prospect that hard-won protections such as runway alternation and respite could be weakened or lost."

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They added: "London and the south east needs cleaner air, quieter skies, reliable public transport, credible climate leadership and infrastructure decisions that command public confidence. Heathrow expansion would make those goals harder, not easier, to achieve."

The leaders raise several specific concerns, including:

• The Government must properly demonstrate that Heathrow expansion is needed, with claims about economic growth and jobs weighed against impacts on residents' health, quality of life, air quality, climate targets and public infrastructure.
• Aircraft noise should be judged by what residents experience, not simply airport-wide averages, with existing protections such as runway alternation and respite protected and strengthened.
• The Government should require a genuine reduction in night flights.
• The Government must properly assess and monitor ultrafine particles, an emerging aviation-related pollutant associated with airport activity.
• The consultation should not prejudge the outcome by designating Heathrow expansion as Critical National Growth Infrastructure before key concerns have been resolved.
• Better use of existing airport capacity, improved rail links and a shift from domestic flights to rail should be fully considered before any decision is made on a new runway.

The co-signed letter can be read here.

The Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement consultation was published on 18 June 2026 and closes at 11.59pm on 1 September 2026.