Construction of runway at Heathrow likely to harm local people, report warns

Thursday, June 18, 2026

A government report forecasts that building a third runway at Heathrow Airport could negatively affect the health and wellbeing of up to three million nearby residents due to increased noise, air pollution, and strain on local services. Despite these risks, the government is moving forward with a new draft policy to expand Heathrow, aiming to balance economic benefits with environmental and community concerns through public consultation and planned mitigation efforts.

The construction of a third runway at Heathrow Airport is expected to have significant negative effects on the health and wellbeing of up to three million nearby residents, according to a government-commissioned report. The analysis, conducted by Aecom for the Department for Transport (DfT), highlights a range of potential adverse impacts linked to both the building and operation phases of the runway.

The report identifies worsening noise pollution and declining air quality as among the primary concerns. In addition, it raises alarms about potential harms to access to housing, education, healthcare services, open spaces, and transportation infrastructure in the local area. The analysis also points to possible deterioration in water quality, weakening of community cohesion and identity, and damage to local landscapes and townscapes. Furthermore, the expansion could hinder efforts related to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Despite these challenges, the assessment notes that the project may bring improved outcomes in areas such as employment opportunities, income levels, education, skills development, and training.

These findings were published as the government advanced the Heathrow expansion plan by releasing a draft national policy statement for public consultation. This document is intended to replace the previous, broader airports policy statement with a specific framework focused solely on Heathrow. The new statement will require parliamentary approval.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the consultation as an important step toward realizing the benefits of the third runway, emphasizing the desire to engage businesses, communities, and the general public in shaping the project. Alexander also stressed the government's commitment to progressing the expansion responsibly, with attention to noise, air quality, climate change, and economic growth.

The previous national policy statement, enacted under a Conservative government, permitted only one new runway in the southeast in order to align with climate commitments. In the intervening period, the Labour government has approved expansions at Stansted, Luton, and Gatwick airports.

A DfT spokesperson clarified that the health impact assessment reflects conditions assuming no mitigation measures are put in place. The department is reportedly working actively to implement strategies to minimize and manage the projected adverse effects associated with the runway’s construction and operation.