Mary Macleod, local Member of Parliament, has emphasised there should be no third runway and no mixed mode at Heathrow, at a parliamentary debate on the future of the airline industry.

The local MP, who has campaigned against a third runway, explained to fellow MPs how, “Heathrow needs to be better not bigger. Residents’ views on noise and quality of life must be taken into account.”

Mary spoke out against those who claim we are falling behind our competitors, “London is the most connected city in the world with 130 million passengers a year. London has 92 flights per week to China, more than either Paris or Frankfurt.”

Mary commented: “I am glad the Minister for Transport strongly confirmed yet again that the government feels that the quality of life of the 700,000 people who live around Heathrow is important. We stopped the third runway and we strongly support runway alternation.”

The debate took place on the day that a government report concluded that if the UK is to meet EU guidelines on emissions it must make an, “Explicit prohibition of a third runway at Heathrow.” The report went on, “In the event of a third runway being developed at Heathrow, compliance with NO2 limits would be impossible.”

Mary commented, “The government’s stance on this issue has always been clear so I am pleased to see that the Environmental Audit Committee’s report on air quality in the UK has come to the same conclusion. I campaigned against the third runway before the general election when the other parties were supporting it. I am glad that not only has the government ruled it out but that other parties have started to see sense on this issue too. This report will add to the wealth of evidence that shows that Heathrow expansion is not the answer.”