The government should not approve Heathrow expansion until it can “accept and comply” with key environmental conditions, MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee have said.
An inquiry found Heathrow must commit to covering the costs of surface transport improvements, introduce a night flight ban and show an expanded airport would be less noisy than a two runway one.
In July the Airports Commission published a report backing expansion at Heathrow over Gatwick. However, it has faced criticism over environmental issues such as noise and air pollution levels.
Labour MP Huw Irranca-Davies, chairman of the committee, said it would be "irresponsible" to postpone dealing with the environmental impact of expansion at Heathrow.
"If the government decides to accept the commission's recommendation for a third runway in principle, we will seek assurances from the secretary of state for transport that environmental conditions will be met before it is given final approval," he added.
He added that the government has a duty to reduce illegal levels of air pollution in London to protect the health and well-being of its population.
Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate said the report highlights the many “environmental hurdles” facing Heathrow.
“It is increasingly clear only expansion at Gatwick is legal and can actually happen,” he said.
The report follows reports yesterday that the government is to make a decision on expansion this week.
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