THE RESULTS of a third runway referendum in Hillingdon and Richmond almost exactly mirror those of Hounslow Council's own consultation.


An extra landing strip at Heathrow was opposed by 72 per cent of those voting in borough-wide ballots in the two councils.

That is exactly the same proportion who rejected the measure in Hounslow's more wide-ranging consultation on the airport's future.

However, only 9,000 out of about 100,000 households in Hounslow responded to its consultation, compared with 141,000 out of 343,000 people polled in the neighbouring boroughs - a turn out of 41 per cent.

In Richmond, 80 per cent of voters opposed a third runway, compared with 66 per cent in Hillingdon, where more people rely on the airport for work.

Ask whether they wanted to see any more flights at Heathrow, 73 per cent of voters across the two boroughs said no.

Richmond Council leader Lord Nicholas True said: "Enough people have said 'no' in just two of London's 32 boroughs to make Twickenham Rugby stadium overflow. The people have spoken – now let the people be heard."

London mayor Boris Johnson said: "The people of Richmond and Hillingdon have spoken with a resounding 'no' to this ludicrous idea.


"They are shouting this so loudly that even those with their heads buried firmly in the sand over the issue should be able to hear them!"

The results will now be presented to the Government, along with Hounslow Council's findings from its consultation.