Councils' legal challenge to third runway at Heathrow

COUNCIL leaders backed by Boris Johnson will this week launch a legal challenge against a third runway at Heathrow.

The 2M Group of 23 councils says the development will be "disastrous" for those living near the airport and under the flight path. Backed by Transport for London, seven west London boroughs will call for a judicial review of the Government's decision to allow the runway to go ahead.

The seven councils, Wandsworth; Hounslow; Hammersmith and Fulham; Hillingdon; Kensington and Chelsea; Richmond and Windsor and Maidenhead are expected to make an announcement on Wednesday.

If the third runway goes ahead the number of flights could be increased from 480,000 to 700,000 and the nearby village of Sipson would be demolished.

Kulveer Ranger, Mr Johnson's head of transport policy, said the business case did not outweigh "environmental concerns in terms of noise and air quality".

Mr Ranger said the Mayor was a "moral supporter" and added that TfL would provide "expert evidence" at the review.