Arguments in Favor of the Third Runway
As said in the previous section, the UK government said that a third runway would provide economic benefits to a recession ridden city. According to UK officials “a third runway is forecast to create up to 8,000 new on-site jobs by 2030 and will provide further employment benefits to the surrounding area. Its construction alone would provide up to 60,000 jobs” (Hoon 2009). Also as Heathrow is a major international airport, and is operating at 99% capacity, people and mobile businesses may be turned away from going through Heathrow because of delays and constraints that are not reliable to them (Hoon 2009). According to a study released by the British Chamber of Commerce, “building a third runway at the airport would deliver between £8.6 billion and £12.8 billion in increased productivity, and approximately £20 billion in wider economic benefits, such as higher levels of employment” (BCC 2009). Also said was “each year the building of a third runway is delayed the country loses between £900 million and £1.1 billion” (BBC 2009). As well as economic benefits, if a third runway was built it would reduce gas emissions from airplanes that were waiting to land (Gray 2009).
Arguments Against the Third Runway
One of the main arguments against the expansion of Heathrow airport was the effects on the environment. Environmental activists were concerned that the third runway would lead to an increase in CO2 emissions and that the economic benefits would be outweighed by the damage from CO2 emissions (Benjamin 2007). According to figures from the World Development Movement, flights from the third runway at Heathrow would produce as much greenhouse gas emissions as the entire country of Kenya in one year (WDM 2009). Another main argument was the destruction of the community. At least 700 homes would be demolished, the entire village of Sipson could disappear in 10 years, and at least 1600 people would be evicted from their homes (Ryan 2006). Along with these arguments, another one that is presented would be the increase in noise and air pollution. With a third runway the number of flights would increase and that would be more planes taking off and landing. Some other minor arguments are that air travel is falling and what is the need for another runway, and there are other alternatives instead of a third runway including: the construction of a new airport in West London and/or the construction of a new high speed rail line.
Personal Opinion About Project Cancellation
In my opinion, the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport had good intentions, but the positives did not outweigh the negatives. A significant influence on my opinion is the increase in CO2 emissions. As civil engineers we must support the principles of sustainable development and not allow for the destruction of our environment. As well, the implications on the community would be unfavorable for local residents. Noise pollution, air pollution, and the destruction of neighboring land would be detrimental and irreversible damage that would have ravished the local and national communities.
References
"BAA Heathrow: Facts and Figures." BAA Heathrow: Welcome to Heathrow Airport | Parking | Terminal 5. 2009. Web. 28 Sept. 2010. <http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/page/>.
Benjamin, Alison. "Campaign to Stop Heathrow Expansion Takes to the Roads | Environment | Guardian.co.uk." Latest News, Comment and Reviews from the Guardian | Guardian.co.uk. 8 Nov. 2007. Web. 28 Sept. 2010. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/nov/08/travelandtransport.climatechange>.
"British Chambers of Commerce | A Third Runway at Heathrow Would Add £30 Billion to UK Economy, Says New Study." British Chambers of Commerce - The Ultimate Business Network. 13 July 2009. Web. 28 Sept. 2010. <http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/zones/policy/press-releases_1/a-third-runway-at-heathrow-would-add-30-billion-to-uk-economy-says-new-study.html>.
"Flights from Heathrow's Third Runway Will Emit Same Greenhouse Gas Emissions as Kenya | World Development Movement." World Development Movement | Justice for the World's Poor. 15 Jan. 2009. Web. 28 Sept. 2010. <http://www.wdm.org.uk/flights-heathrows-third-runway-will-emit-same-greenhouse-gas-emissions-kenya>.
Gray, Melissa. "Britain: Third Heathrow Runway Approved despite Opposition - CNN.com." CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. 15 Jan. 2009. Web. 28 Sept. 2010. <http://www.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/01/15/heathrow.third.runway/index.html>.
Hoon, Hon Geoff. "[ARCHIVED CONTENT] Britain’s Transport Infrastructure." - the European Archive: Collection Page: European Archive. 15 Jan. 2009. Web. 28 Sept. 2010. <http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ /http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/infrastructure>.
Rosenberg, Matt. "Busiest Airports - The Busiest Airports in the World." Geography Home Page - Geography at About.com. 14 June 2010. Web. 28 Sept. 2010. <http://geography.about.com/od/urbaneconomicgeography/a/busiestairports.htm>.
Ryan, Margaret. "BBC NEWS | UK | Village Faces Being Wiped off Map." BBC News - Home. 21 Feb. 2006. Web. 28 Sept. 2010. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4731948.stm>.