IT has been little reported in the national media that the EU Commission are taking legal action against the UK over air pollution.

This refers, in particular, to high levels of nitrogen dioxide, which are mainly caused by diesel engines.

EU limits on air pollution are already breached around Heathrow, even before a third runway (creating as it would an extra 20 million vehicle journeys a year).

Nigel Milton, Heathrow's Director of Policy and Political Relations, said at a meeting this week that planning permission for a third runway could only be granted if air pollution around the airport fell within EU limits. It is hard to see how this would happen.

He said at the same meeting that that only 1-2,000 extra jobs would be created at the airport if there was expansion.

This is obviously because of automation. Those who were expecting a vast increase in jobs are in for a big disappointment.

Heathrow Ltd have given the impression in their recent propaganda that they are some charitable institution whose main interest is to their employees.

They are, of course, run in the interests of their mainly foreign shareholders who are principally interested in cutting costs and maximising their profits.

It’s the sort of operation you might think that a local Labour council would be vigorously opposing.

The third runway is definitely going to be beaten, but it would be good if everyone in the locality of the airport joined in the fight.

DAVE ROBINS

Wimpole Road

West Drayton