Transport officials are urging west Londoners to have their say on the proposals for a Northwest runway at Heathrow Airport.
This week marked the start of the Department for Transport (DfT) local information events following the publication of the draft Airports National Policy Statement.
The events, taking part during a 16 week consultation, are a chance for west Londoners to give their views and have any questions answered.
DfT has said after "decades of wrangling about airport capacity" the new runway will create tens of thousands of jobs, deliver economic benefits up to £61billion over 60 years and secure London's long-term future as one of the best connected cities in the world.
The document on Heathrow Northwest outlines strict planning obligations that must be met by the airport operator in order to get approval for the new runway.
However the proposals have left a bitter taste with a large number of local residents, particularly those living in the Heathrow villages set to be wiped out.
Comments on the getwestlondon Facebook page include "No we don't want a runway" with others accepting of the issue saying "they will build the third runway whether or not people want it or not."
There are also a number of people who have left comments to say they fully support expansion at the airport.
The government did come under fire when residents living in the Heathrow villages set for demolition to make way for a third runway said it is "completely unacceptable" there is no consultation event in the area.
People living in Harmondsworth and Longford whose villages will be wiped out to expand Heathrow Airport and pave the way for a north-west runway are on the warpath as MP for Hayes and Harlington John McDonnell said the "government are having a laugh by not holding a consultation event in the Heathrow villages".
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "Between 2008 and 2016, Heathrow slipped from being the world’s busiest airport to the sixth busiest.
"That is because its two runways are full. By comparison, Heathrow’s main competitors like Frankfurt, Paris and Amsterdam have ample spare runway capacity in which to grow.
"Heathrow is also committed to paying 25% above market value plus costs to owners of homes required for compulsory purchase.
"Other houses across a large area around the airport will be eligible for insulation."
An expanded Heathrow will also boost domestic links, competition and reduce fares as well as improve performance and realiability.
"Now it is vital that the people and businesses of London are engaged in the consultation process," Mr Grayling
"So please join the debate and make your voices heard.
"If we fail once again to invest in our major aviation hub, we would be unable to compete in future for routes to markets like China, which has built or started building more than 50 new airports since 2010."
The all day weekday events will run from 11am to 8pm and on Saturday from 10am to 5pm.
List of consultation events:
EALING
| Saturday, February 18 | Ealing | Ealing Town Hall, New Broadway, Ealing, London W5 2BY |
HILLINGDON
| Saturday, March 4 | West Drayton | Yiewsley and West Drayton Community Centre, Harmondsworth Road, West Drayton UB7 9JL |
HOUNSLOW
| Monday, February 27 | Hounslow | Hounslow Civic Centre, Civic Centre, Lampton Road, Hounslow, TW3 4DN |
| Wednesday, March 15 | Isleworth | Isleworth Public Hall, South Street, Isleworth TW7 7BG |
KENSINGTON
| Wednesday, March 1 | Kensington | Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, Kensington, London W8 7NX |
HAMMERSMITH
| Monday, March 6 | Hammersmith | Assembly Hall, King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9JU |
KINGSTON & RICHMOND
| Thursday, February 23 | Twickenham | York House, Richmond Road Twickenham TW1 3AA |
| Friday, March 10 | Richmond | RACC, Parkshot, London TW9 2RE |
OTHER LOCATIONS
| Thursday, February 16 | Bracknell | Carnation Hall, 29 Chavey Down Road, Winkfield Row, Bracknell RG42 7PU |
| Friday, February 17 | Wimbledon | Everyday Church, 30 Queens Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 8LR |
| Monday, February 20 | Staines-upon-Thames | The Hythe Centre, Thorpe Road, Staines TW18 3HD |
| Friday, February 24 | Putney | Putney Leisure Centre, Dryburgh Road, London SW15 1BL |
| Tuesday, February 28 | Stanwell Moor | Stanwell Moor Village Hall, Stanwell Moor, Staines TW19 6AQ |
| Friday, March 3 | Windsor | Windsor Youth and Community Centre, 65 Alma Road, Windsor SL4 3HD |
| Tuesday, March 7 | Maidenhead | Sportsable, Braywick Road, Maidenhead SL6 1BN |
| Saturday, March 11 | Gerrards Cross | Colston Hall, 8 East Common, Gerrards Cross SL9 7AD |
| Monday, March 13 | Slough | The Curve, William Street, Slough SL1 1XY |
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