Press Release: Local MP, John McDonnell, Criticises Davies Commission’s Airports Report for Underestimating Damage to Local Community.

Local MP John McDonnell slates the Davies Commission’s Airport Report. The Commission has released its latest analysis of the three shortlisted plans for airport expansion at the beginning of a three-week public consultation period.

The Davies Commission has been tasked with weighing up where a new runway should be built to meet rising capacity demand in the South East of England. It is considering three options – a second runway at Gatwick, a third runway at Heathrow, or an extension to one of the existing Heathrow runways. All three bids have underestimates the costs involved.

John McDonnell said “The Davies Commission report at last acknowledges the “environmental stress” that our area is already under and admits that there would be a “substantial negative impact on air quality”. However the Commission massively underestimates the impact of Heathrow expansion on the overall quality of life of local people. Nevertheless it is increasingly apparent that Heathrow expansion is the least attractive option for airport growth”.