Boris pledges cash for legal bid to stop Heathrow runway

BORIS JOHNSON will help fund legal action against the Government if it approves a third runway at Heathrow.

The Mayor has pledged £15,000 to anti-expansion campaigners planning a court battle which could halt efforts to have the runway operational by 2030.

One month before Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon is expected to agree to the expansion, Mr Johnson promised the money to the 2M Group of councils opposed to the third runway.

The group, which represents four million people, will analyse the Government's eventual decision and decide whether legal action is possible.

It believes an increase in the number of flights from 480,000 to 700,000 a year will break European Union laws on pollution and blight residents' lives. Its case for a judicial review is likely to rest on whether those EU air pollution limits would be exceeded by a third runway.

The Government white paper on expansion said approval would be given only if the runway met noise and environmental standards. But critics, including the Environment Agency, claim extra nitrogen dioxide emissions will breach EU limits which come into force in 2010.

Hilary Benn, the Environment Secretary, has confirmed that the Government will seek permission to postpone compliance with the limits until 2015. European leaders have already vowed to take enforcement action if the limits are exceeded.

A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "The Mayor is anxious to ensure that the concerns of Londoners whose environment would be affected by a further expansion of Heathrow are fully addressed.

"He is also keen that a thorough examination of the long delayed results of the Government's consultation and environmental tests takes place.

"Together they [the 2M Group] voice a resounding cry of alarm at the prospect of a third runway; and as the representative of every Londoner the Mayor has agreed to make a contribution to the funds 2M is raising to cover the possible costs of a legal challenge."

Edward Lister, leader of Wandsworth council and speaking on behalf of the 2M Group, said: "We are trying to show that the whole basis on which the Government wants to justify expansion is bogus. It's great that Boris is supporting this action and it's not too late for the Government to think again."

Mr Hoon faces fierce opposition in the Commons with some 52 Labour MPs among the 141 members who have signed a motion urging the plan for the third runway to be halted. Several ministers are also known to have doubts about expanding Heathrow.

But BAA, owner of the airport, says its runways are operating at 99 per cent capacity and supporters claim a third runway is crucial if Heathrow is to compete with other "hub" airports in Europe.