Campaigners have lost a High Court challenge against the Government’s decision to add a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

MPs voted in favour of adding third runway to the airport in June last year, but the decision faced opposition from environmental groups and London politicians.

The decision was taken to judicial review by a group made up of five London councils, residents, environmental charities and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

But lawyers representing the Government today said the case was “unarguable” and ruled in favour of the Government’s decision to expand the airport.

Shirley Rodrigues, the deputy mayor for environment and energy, said: “I’m disappointed with the court’s decision today.

“In challenging the decision to expand Heathrow, Sadiq has stood up for Londoners who have serious concerns about the damaging impact it will have on air quality, noise pollution, existing road and rail networks, and quality of life in our city.

“We will now consider the judgement and consult with our co-claimants before deciding our next steps.”

Chairman of the London Assembly environment committee Caroline Russell said a third runway is “not the right course” for London or the environment.

Ms Russell said: “In light of the increasing evidence of an escalating climate emergency we again call on the Government to cancel Heathrow expansion plans before more money is spent and more damage is done.”

The chairman of the London Assembly transport committee Caroline Pidgeon added: “The London Assembly has long been opposed to the expansion of Heathrow – all advice from the Assembly, protestors and experts seems to have fallen on deaf ears.”

No 3rd Runway Coalition, campaign group opposing the expansion, also expressed their disappointment at the decision.

The chairman of the group, Paul McGuiness, said: “The fact remains that Heathrow expansion is a bad policy – economically, as well as environmentally. It should not go ahead and won’t go ahead. It will be challenged until defeated.”