Reporting the serious concern and warning issued by the head of the Environment Agency, the Independent has reported that a third runway at the Heathrow Airport would certainly give way to 'unavoidable' rises in air pollution and noise pollution in addition to causing traffic jams. Over and above, while commenting on the plans for a third runway, former Labour Culture Secretary Lord Smith of Finsbury has noted that approving the expansion of the airport would surely prove to be a grave mistake on part of the government, which has come as a serious blow to the plans put forward by the government.

Most notably, according to the promise made by Gordon Brown and Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly, it appears that the government wants the environmental concerns to be a central element in considering a decision on the further expansion of Heathrow, which is expected later during this year. But Lord Smith, the recently appointed chairman of the Environment Agency has clearly stated yesterday that even as per the conclusions forwarded by its own experts, there was never a green case that could be put forth as a matter of support for the above said proposals.

While dismissing the opinion of the Department of Transport that a new runway at Heathrow Airport is environmentally sustainable, Lord Smith noted, "The increases in volume of air traffic and in congestion on the ground are, from the analysis that we've done, pretty unavoidable. I think the Government is making a mistake and I will carry on telling them that I think they are making a mistake.”