Action urged to tackle Heathrow pollution

Urgent air clean-up action at Heathrow airport has been called for by local campaigners and environment experts.

BAA - which runs the facility - has outlined a number of methods to reduce the pollution caused by planes landing and taking off in London.

However, the London Assembly's Environment Committee recently heard the company is not making the changes fast enough.

Independent air quality consultant Duncan Laxen welcomed BAA's attitude towards slashing carbon emissions, but he urged the organisation to fast track its plans.

Chair of the committee Murad Qureshi concurred with Mr Laxen.

"Action must be taken as quickly as possible to reduce the damaging effects of pollution on Londoners' health," he commented.

Mr Qureshi also outlined concerns over aircraft noise, stating that flight path alterations may have exposed more people to the excessive din made by plane engines.

Virgin Atlantic recently revealed that it was developing a new bio-fuel that would significantly cut down on carbon emissions. It could be in use in two to three years.

Posted by Claire Manning