By Canadian Press

Campaigners against Heathrow expansion lose legal challenge

May 1, 2019 | 2:57 AM

LONDON — Campaigners fighting British government plans to expand Heathrow Airport lost a challenge in one of the country’s highest courts on Wednesday.

A coalition of local councils, environmentalists and London residents claim the government has failed to properly address the impact on air quality, climate change, noise and congestion that adding a third runway would entail. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also backed the lawsuit.

The environmental group Greenpeace says that while the campaigners may have lost this judgment, the government is losing the argument on whether such expansion is “morally justifiable.”

Parliament approved plans last year for the third runway, backing what the government described as the most important transportation project in a generation. Prime Minister Theresa May has said the expansion will boost economic growth.

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“We are delighted with today’s ruling, which is a further demonstration that the debate on Heathrow expansion has been had and won, not only in Parliament, but in the courts also,” airport authorities said in a statement. “We are getting on with delivering the once-in-a-generation project that will connect Britain to global growth, providing thousands of new jobs and an economic boost for this country and its future generations.”

Danica Kirka, The Associated Press