Heathrow third runway likely to affect health of millions nearby, official report warns

Construction of a third runway at Heathrow is likely to have significant adverse effects on the health and wellbeing of up to 3 million people living nearby, an official report has said, as the government launched the next stage of its rapid airport expansion plan . An analysis for the Department for Transport has found that expanding London’s hub airport could have “major adverse” impacts on the health of the most local population. Construction and operation of the third runway will worsen not just noise and air quality, but could also harm access to housing, education, healthcare, open space, and transport, the report bythe consultants Aecom said. Heathrow’s expansion will impact water quality, weaken community identity and cohesion, worsen landscapes and townscapes, and affect climate change mitigation and adaptation, it added. The impact analysis of the new policy said construction of a third runway would likely be beneficial for jobs, income, education, skills, and training. But the report concluded: “Adverse effects are considered likely with regard to the other determinants which cover environmental and social considerations, and many of these have potential to be significant.” While the report is expected to help shape measures to mitigate the effect on residents, it says the impacts cannot be fully offset. The DfT was approached for comment. …