Sir Sadiq Khan has threatened lawsuits against the government over its controversial plans to allow a third runway in Heathrow.
London mayor doubled his opposition to the plans and warned that it will have a “serious influence” in terms of noise and air pollution and leave Britain’s climate target at risk.
Sir Sadiq said he will “carefully examine” Heathrow’s expansion plans and the influence they want on Londoners.
And when he raised the prospects, he could sue Sir Keir Stormer’s government, the London mayor said, “I keep all opportunities on the table in how we react.”
He added: “I am still against a new runway at Heathrow Airport because of the serious influence it will have in terms of noise, air pollution and meet our climate change.
His comments came when Heathrow said it could build a third runway for £ 21 billion within a decade. It attributed to the increase from its estimate of £ 14 billion in 2018 to “construction inflation”.
The overall plan, including terminals and supporting infrastructure, is expected to cost £ 49 billion.
Heathrow believes it is possible to meet the government’s ambition to ensure consent planning by 2029 and the new runway is in operation within a decade.
But Sir Sadiq warned of a “huge knock-on effect” on London’s transport infrastructure if a third runway goes ahead and warn that plans should be implemented to control the impact.
Rachel Reeves has already said a challenge to the expansion plans, some of her and sir Keir’s push to grow the economy would fail.
The Trassing Chancellor said she has “tremendous respect” for Sir Sadiq, who is one of the most influential figures in the Labor Party, but she said she disagrees with the London mayor and is convinced that the third runway will move on.
Sir Sadiq’s fresh resistance to the runway plans came when transport secretary Heidi Alexander welcomed Heathrow’s proposal for its development.
Mrs. Alexander said: “I am glad to have received the initial Heathrow -expansion proposals – a significant step towards locking away from growth, creating jobs and delivering important national infrastructures.”
She said the government will consider the proposals during the summer before a final decision on whether to give it to the one to come.
After months of Flatlining Growth since Labor came to power, Mrs. Reeves revealed the plans for a third runway in Heathrow to increase the economy in January.
She said that pro-growth measures must trump other priorities such as the green agenda. But the plans have also given rise to opposition from Andy Burnham, another senior mayor. The larger Manchester mayor has warned that the third runway will concentrate on economic growth in London.
Energy secretary Ed Miliband has long been against a third runway, while Sir Keir himself has previously voted against the airport’s expansion.
Britain’s second largest airport, London Gatwick, has also been given a conditional ahead of its expansion plans as part of the government’s push for growth.
It intends to increase traffic on what is already Europe’s busiest single track, and configure the standby landing course for routine use of departure aircraft.