| Topic: | Re:Re:Heathrow - Panorama Monday : Friends in High Places | |
| Posted by: | Neil Anderson | |
| Date/Time: | 21/07/08 10:50:00 |
| The government's case is shakier than it's ever been right now. If 2M succeeds in getting the EU Environment Commissioner to hold the line and ensure that the UK sticks to the NOX limits then it's impossible to increase flights to/from Heathrow. The government's figures are dubious to say the least. They're working from BAA supplied data based on a "green" jumbo which no aircraft manufacturer has plans to build, as Panorama tonight is expected to point out. It's always possible that Ruth Kelly could pull a fast one and introduce mixed-mode before the EU air quality directive comes into effect but that would be a dangerous move in the current political climate. The fact that she's delayed the decision on Heathrow expansion (actually, she's already made up her mind - I should say delayed the announcement) suggests that the DfT is now working on other ways of manipulating the figures, under the guise of analysing the responses to the consultation and the effect of expansion on different socio-deographic groups. But this is politics after all, and the government will be working extremely hard to get the limits of the EU directive lifted or delayed. Note that Baroness Ludford said that Commissioner Dimas' committment was that "London's elected representatives ... would be consulted in any assessment of a UK bid to stretch the limits". Well, we've just been through a "consultation" here in west London, and we all know what a sham that was. But the awareness has been raised. My guess is that the 2M representatives achieved as much as they could have expected, but it's just another battle in a long-running war. Public opinion and votes are what will kill off Heathrow expansion. |