Councils convene in new bid to block third Heathrow runway

A powerful coalition of councils representing millions of London voters has joined forces in a bid to force the Government to permanently rule out a Heathrow third runway.

Evening Standard understands the 2M Group of 24 local authorities, which fought to get previous Heathrow expansion plans scrapped, has “re-activated” because of mounting fears of a third runway U-turn.

The all-party group of councils led a successful High Court challenge in 2010 against the previous government’s plans for a new runway.

In a major warning shot to Downing Street Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth council, today refused to rule out a return to the courts in a bid to ensure any expansion is defeated.

Boris Johnson today welcomed the news, with his official spokesman saying the Mayor was “very pleased” to learn of the councils’ vehement opposition.

Richmond council leader Lord True today also warned that the 2M Group will fight to ensure a third runway remains “dead and buried”.

It will pile pressure on David Cameron, who has announced a review into the future of Britain’s airports that will not report back until after the next General Election.

The London councils are demanding that the review, by Sir Howard Davies’s commission, completely excludes the third runway option.

Many opponents believe the Prime Minister’s decision to postpone the report has left the door open for future expansion at Heathrow.

The 2M Group, which took its name from the two million residents of the original 12 authorities, now represents a combined population of five million people.