Britain could seek Heathrow pollution pass

LONDON, June 14 (UPI) -- British officials indicate they may apply for a waiver from European Union pollution rules in order to proceed quickly with an expansion of Heathrow Airport.

The government plans to allow the expansion to start in 2010 despite an earlier promise to stick to an EU requirement limiting the amount of nitrogen dioxide that can be emitted around the airport, The Times of London reported Saturday.

The plan to expand Heathrow would result in an additional 25 million car trips to and from airport each year, which in turn would trigger a significant increase in air pollution from vehicle exhausts, especially along the busy M4 corridor, the newspaper said.

To get the much-needed airport expansion off the ground more quickly, government transport officials indicated deep within a report on the expansion it may apply to Brussels for a five-year extension on the implementation of European-wide standards are nitrogen dioxide.

The Times says area residents are complaining bitterly about the plans to jump from 480,000 to 540,000 flights per year by 2015 and 702,000 by 2015 when a new runway opens. Local residents and officials plan to oppose the Transport Ministry's request to the European Commission.