CANDIDATES for the main parties in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election have provided their views on Heathrow expansion, ahead of polling on July 20.

Stop Heathrow Expansion, a cross-party group based in Hillingdon, sought statements from the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties.

Heathrow expansion is currently on pause.

Stop Heathrow Expansion’s chair, Justine Bayley, said: “It is quite telling that none of the main candidates is advocating Heathrow expansion.

“A third runway is clearly not in the interests of the local or wider area for the reasons they have collectively outlined.

“We firmly believe Heathrow expansion needs to be off the political agenda, not just ahead of this by-election, but through and beyond the next general election."

Steve Tuckwell, Conservative candidate, said: “I have been opposed to expansion at Heathrow, on behalf of residents, as a local councillor and as part of Hillingdon’s long-standing campaign for many years.

“A third runway would bring more traffic to Uxbridge and South Ruislip, put pressure on our local road network and bring aircraft noise to new parts of the constituency, all while failing to meet our environment targets.

“I will continue to oppose it on behalf of our community in the strongest possible way.”

Danny Beales, Labour candidate, said: “Labour has long been clear that any airport expansion must pass our tests on air quality, noise pollution, delivering countrywide economic benefits and enabling us to meet our obligations on climate change.

“It is no secret that, when it was last comprehensively reviewed, Labour said proposals for an additional runway at Heathrow have not met those tests.

“Labour will continue to judge any future proposal for Heathrow expansion against the same tests.”

Blaise Baquiche, Lib-Dem candidate, said: “I am passionate about achieving Net Zero and will fight against the expansion of Heathrow.

“Heathrow is already the UK's biggest source of carbon emissions, and a third runway will increase the number of flights by 260,000 a year.

“The noise of these additional flights will [also] be a major burden on residents of any constituencies near Heathrow.”