There are fears the Heathrow expansion could be back on the cards after Justine Greening was replaced as Transport Secretary today.


Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond, said the move was a worrying sign that Prime Minister David Cameron may have changed his mind over his opposition to a third runway.


Mr Goldsmith campaigned with the Putney MP against Heathrow expansion before she became a minister.


Miss Greening was replaced by Patrick McLoughlin, a former Conservative chief whip, while Aviation Minister Theresa Villiers – another key player in the Government’s policy on Heathrow – was promoted to Northern Ireland Secretary.


John Stewart, chairman of campaign group Hacan Clearskies, said: “This is all-change big time at the Transport Department. The aviation industry will be popping open the champagne as two independent-minded ministers have gone. 


“There will be fury in west London and beyond at the moving of Justine Greening.” 


Mr Goldsmith said: “Justine Greening’s appointment as Transport Secretary just 11 months ago indicated, among other things, that the Prime Minister’s opposition to Heathrow expansion was absolutely solid.


“It has to be said that the Government’s position remains the same today and I have no doubt will hold true at least until the next election.


“However, Justine’s replacement in the reshuffle is nevertheless a worrying sign that the Prime Minister may have been successfully shifted by the lobbyists. Needless to say, I hope not.


“Regardless, my constituents have my absolute assurance that I will do everything in my power to keep the Government to what was a crucially important pre-election promise, and to ensure it is repeated at the next election.”


Environmental campaigners pointed out that Mr McLoughin voted in 2009 to urge the Labour Government to rethink its plans for a third runway at Heathrow.


Mr Stewart said: “Overall these changes are an attempt to take aviation out of the headlines. Expect no real decisions this side of an election.”
Members of Hacan Clearskies sent videos to Mr Cameron last week to show their support for Miss Greening.


One campaigner said: “She is a woman who has stood by her principles over Heathrow expansion.”