This week I attended the publication of the Airports Commission interim report into airport capacity in the South East. Speculation had been strong prior to its publication that the report would strongly favour expansion at Heathrow.
In the event, the report lists three main options on its shortlist:
1. A new runway at Gatwick airport.
2. A new 3,500m runway at Heathrow, to the northwest of the existing airport.
3. An extension of the existing northern runway to the west, lengthening it to at least 6,000m to enable it to be operated as two separate runways: one for departures and one for arrivals.
In addition, the report also outlined that it requires further analysis of the Isle of Grain option to enable it to determine if this is a credible option to add to the shortlist.
As you know I have consistently campaigned against a third runway at Heathrow. I just do not believe it is possible to increase the number of flights from 480,000 to up to 740,000 (54% more flights!) without a significant additional burden of noise and disruption for local residents.
Sir Davies has agreed that the next phase of the Commission’s work will involve “extensive debate” of the impact on local communities. In my view the Commission has significantly underestimated the number of people whose lives would be affected by expansion at Heathrow.
As residents in West London, we must come together now to protect the quality of lives of the residents and fight further damaging expansion at Heathrow. I would encourage all residents who care about this issue to join me in expressing their views loud and clear to the Airports Commission, by emailing airports.enquiries@airports.gsi.gov.uk
Do you have a view on Heathrow expansion? Please post your comments below.
