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Councils opposed to Heathrow expansion are calling for a powerful new regulator to enforce environmental standards at Heathrow.

Ministers have just finished consulting on reforms which could require large airports to obtain a licence from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Airport operators would be assessed against new passenger standards and environmental targets. Under the current proposals the CAA could impose fines for failure to achieve service standards but as yet there are no proposals for sanctions for breaches of air pollution and noise limits.

Councillor Nick Botterill, speaking on behalf of the 2M Group, said the proposals did not go far enough: "The CAA relies heavily for its funding from the Department for Transport which in turn is seen by many people as too close to BAA. The authority does an excellent job on air safety but it is the wrong organisation to hold airport operators to task for poor performance.

"The Government massaged its case for a third Heathrow runway by setting its noise benchmark as the last year when Concorde was flying and ignoring the findings of its own research on the impacts of aircraft noise around Heathrow - yet the CAA failed to speak out. This compares unfavourably with the robust independence shown by the Environment Agency on the air quality case.

"It will take a powerful body to stand up to both industry and government. This could be a job for the Environment Agency - or we could move towards a new, independent regulator which could combine protection of passenger and community interests with real enforcement powers.

"This must include real sanctions such as financial penalties for noise and air pollution contraventions."

The 2M Group is an all-party alliance of local authorities concerned at the environmental impact of Heathrow expansion on their communities. The group, which took its name from the two million residents of the original 12 members, now represents 23 authorities with a combined population of 5 million people and is supported by the Mayor of London.

The 2M Group's formal response to the consultation can be viewed at www.2mgroup.org.uk (opens new window).

The Government's consultation document 'Reforming the framework for the economic regulation of UK airports' is available at www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/ukairports/ (opens new window).

20th May 2009