§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what consultation his Department has undertaken with the Environment Agency on the risk of flooding in the Thames Valley resulting from the potential development of a third runway at Heathrow; [131730]
(2) what assessment he has made of the impact of the development of (a) a third runway and (b) the fifth terminal at Heathrow airport on the risk of flooding in (i) the Thames Valley and (ii) the London borough of Hillingdon. [131731]
§ Mr. McNultyThe Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East consultation closed on 30 June 2003. We are currently analysing over 400,000 responses to the consultation. It would not be appropriate to comment on any of the responses while the analysis is being undertaken. However, all options considered in the South East and 191W East of England Regional Air Services Study (SERAS), including the option for a third runway at Heathrow, were appraised for potential impacts on the water environment including any contributory risk to flooding.
The appraisal system took account of national guidance including the Environment Agency's 1 in 100 year flood plain mapping and the Flood Estimation Handbook. The option for a third runway at Heathrow Airport was assessed as having a low adverse impact on flooding.
There was a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment including flood risk for Terminal 5. The Secretary of State took account of the inspector's conclusions on environmental impacts in reaching his decisions in November 2001. The issue of the impact of the development on the Twin Rivers was unresolved at that time and a condition was imposed requiring BAA to secure planning permission for a scheme to address it. The London borough of Hillingdon has now granted permission for such a scheme.
§ Mr. RandallTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of a third runway at Heathrow on flooding in the area; [131868]
(2) what assessment he has received from the Environment Agency on the flooding implications of building a third runway at Heathrow. [131869]
§ Mr. McNultyThe Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East consultation closed on 30 June 2003. We are currently analysing over 400,000 responses to the consultation. It would not be appropriate to comment on any of the responses while the analysis is being undertaken. However, I can confirm that all options considered in the South East and East of England Regional Air Services Study (SERAS), including the option for a third runway at Heathrow, were appraised for potential impacts on the water environment including any contributory risk to flooding.
The appraisal system took account of national guidance including the Environment Agency's 1 in 100 year flood plain mapping and the Flood Estimation Handbook. The option for a third runway at Heathrow Airport was assessed as having a Low Adverse impact on flooding.