Heathrow expansion 'a risk we cannot afford to take', says mayor - BBC News BBC Homepage Skip to content Accessibility Help Your account Home News Sport Earth Reel Worklife Travel Culture Future Music TV Weather Sounds More menu More menu Search BBC Home News Sport Earth Reel Worklife Travel Culture Future Music TV Weather Sounds Close menu BBC News Menu Home Climate World UK Business Tech Science Entertainment & Arts Health In Pictures More BBC Verify Newsbeat England Regions London Heathrow expansion an 'outdated' risk, mayor says Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Proposals for a third runway have been hotly debated for more than two decades By James W Kelly London Published 3 September 2026 The London mayor has formally opposed plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, arguing the expansion threatens environmental targets and transport networks. City Hall and Transport for London (TfL) submitted a joint response to the government's draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS) consultation. Sir Sadiq Khan claimed the strategic case relied on outdated evidence that "fails to reflect current climate laws and travel habits". The government said it was reviewing the response, while Heathrow questioned many of the claims made in City Hall's submission. The airport said the expansion was the "most important economic growth opportunity available to the UK". But Sir Sadiq said he saw no evidence the proposals were compatible with a credible path to net zero. "The evidence suggests Heathrow expansion is a risk that we simply cannot afford to take." City Hall said additional flights could reverse the progress in reducing air pollution in communities surrounding Heathrow brought by the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez). Image source, PA Media Image caption, Sir Sadiq Khan said he will continue to "vehemently" oppose a third runway The submission raised several issues regarding infrastructure and finance: It estimates targets in the draft policy could g