Threads / Airports National Policy Statement Review / Whilst air pollution around Heathrow has reduced in recent …
Committee Material Published 24 Oct 2025 ↗ View on Parliament

Whilst air pollution around Heathrow has reduced in recent years due to cleaner aircraft and road vehicles, airport expansion will make it harder for Governments, both national and local, to deliver on air quality targets. The Airports National Policy Statement fails to sufficiently account for the impact airport expansion will have on air pollution. (Conclusion, Paragraph 49)

Whilst air pollution around Heathrow has reduced in recent years due to cleaner aircraft and road vehicles, airport expansion will make it harder for Governments, both national and local, to deliver on air quality targets. The Airports National Policy Statement fails to sufficiently account for the impact airport expansion will have on air pollution. (Conclusion, Paragraph 49) Type: conclusion | Number: 8 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: As part of the ANPS review, DfT is considering how the Government’s four tests for Heathrow expansion, including air quality, should be set. The review will consider changes in legislation, policy and data since the ANPS was designated in 2018 and will consider all key air quality pollutants, such a