An all-party parliamentary group will be aligning in opposition of plans for expansion of a third runway at Heathrow airport.

David Simmonds, the conservative MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, is among one of the many MPs aligning across the country to oppose proposed expansions at the airport.

The parliamentary group of MPs from different political parties have met for the first time today (February 25) to discuss the expansion and the impact a third runway will have on all regions of the UK.

The meeting launched a new report by the New Economics Foundation, which combines official analysis from the Department for Transport (DfT) and data from Freedom of Information requests.

From the report, it is estimated the expansion could displace £43billion and cause the loss of 27,000 jobs from regions outside London.

It also shows the expansion could effectively transfer £3.3billion worth of emissions out of other regions and nations of the UK and into London between 2030 and 2050.

Mr Simmonds said: “Heathrow expansion is being marketed as a benefit to a UK PLC, but this report shows it just moves more pollution and economic activity into London, a disbenefit to our capital and a loss to the regions we are determined to level up.

“Parliament needs to get to grips wit the detail of what expansion means – and swiftly move on to planning the improvements in regional connectivity that the UK desperately needs, rather than putting more eggs in one overcrowded basket.”

Harrow Times:

David Simmonds, MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, is one of those opposed.

Paul Beckford, the policy director for the ‘No Third Runway Coalition’, welcomes the parliamentary involvement opposing the expansion.

He said: "Local communities have long opposed expansion at Heathrow due to the negative environmental and health impacts that the proposals to essentially build a second airport on the site would have.

“Yet many campaigners are also concerned about the national impact on the economy and our climate.

“The proposal to put an additional 280,000 flights a year over London, already the most congested airspace in the world, will materially impact the country's ability to deliver a Net Zero economy.”

“Therefore, it is welcome that Parliamentarians from around the country and across the political divide are meeting to discuss the impact of Heathrow expansion on the regional economies.

“There is no merit in building a third runway only to have to take steps to constrain the regions in direct contradiction of the Government's aims on levelling up."

In December 2019, it was announced that the expansion was delayed for at least 12 months.

To allow this growth, Heathrow would build a third runway to the north west of the airport on Harmondsworth Moor – including the village of Longford, and parts of Harmondsworth and Sipson.

A Heathrow spokesperson added: “The reason for overwhelming support from nationwide business chambers and regional airports for Heathrow expansion is because our proposals will deliver for every corner of this country while meeting the most stringent environmental targets.

“We understand the need to mitigate the impact of expansion, that’s why we have a plan that reduces the airport’s noise impacts through quieter operations and a 6.5-hour ban on scheduled night flights, whilst unlocking jobs and economic benefits for local communities.

“Heathrow is taking a number of steps to encourage passengers to travel to the airport using more sustainable means and is working with the DfT and Local Authorities to improve the airport’s transport links.

“The revenue generated from both the Heathrow Ultra Low Emission Zone and Vehicle Access Charges will help fund initiatives to improve sustainable transport.”