EU environment chief promises vigilance on Heathrow air pollution

3.07.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Jul 2008

Sarah Ludford with Wandsworth Council leader Cllr Edward Lister and European environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas

After meeting EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas along with leaders of the '2M' group of local authorities whose objective is to stop air pollution from Heathrow expansion affecting the local people, London Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford said:

"I was very encouraged by Commissioner Dimas' grasp of the situation and his commitment to ensuring that London's elected representatives, both MEPs and London council leaders, would be consulted in any assessment of a UK bid to 'stretch' the limits."

The aim of the meeting was to seek an assurance that the European Commission will hold the UK to its obligation to comply with EU air quality laws and in particular the ceiling of 40µg m-3 of nitrogen dioxide that applies from 2010. The UK government however is expected to seek a 5-year postponement of the deadline.

Sarah Ludford added:

"This is not just an issue for the environment but an issue of health and wellbeing for London's residents. Improvement in air quality due to restraint on Heathrow would also contribute to reducing the 1,000 premature deaths in London annually from respiratory disease.

"Heathrow is surrounded by dense residential development, schools and other facilities. EU pollution controls - ones the UK signed up to - cannot just be swept aside. I am confident that Commissioner Dimas will take very seriously his watchdog role."