Uxbridge Battles Heathrow Expansion
An exhibition is being held today as protests continue to grow over proposed Heathrow extension plans.
The exhibition is one of several being held by the Government and lasts from 10am to 6pm at the London Wetlands Centre. Experts will be on hand to explain the consultation proposals.
Local residents have until just February 27 to respond to the consultation. The document itself has drawn criticism from campaign group NoTRAG (No Third Runway Action Group) for its unreadable and confusing language. Christine Shilling, NoTRAG’s press secretary said: “this consultation insults, confuses and probably falls foul of the Government’s own legislation against discrimination. Unless people can read and reply to the questions they have not been consulted”.
The extensions would mean the number of flights at the airport could rise to 800,000 – an increase equivalent to building a new airport the size of Gatwick. Angry residents of Sipson, a village which faces being wiped off the map entirely, have been campaigning along with local MPs and pressure groups.
The move would also threaten listed heritage buildings, as well as Heathrow Primary School, a huge area of agricultural green belt land, archaeological sites and a nature conservation area.
Hillingdon council and the surrounding areas are being vocal in their opposition to the plans by helping fund NoTRAG and holding public meetings for the residents to voice their concerns. Tim Jurdon, manager of aviation at Hillingdon Council said: “We have been fighting these proposals for a long time, since before terminal 5 existed. All members of the council are opposed to them. At the minute we are analysing the consultation and will be responding in due course”.
Unsurprisingly, airline companies have welcomed the proposals for the third runway. Responding to claims that the runway would have a terrible effect upon the climate, Steve Ridgway, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic said: “Limiting growth at Heathrow wouldn’t prevent climate change because that growth would only go elsewhere”.
BA’s chief executive Willie Walsh had a slightly more reassuring answer to the same question however, saying: "We are committed to ensuring that growth is sustainable. By the time a third runway becomes operational, aviation emissions will have been capped by the EU for several years. If airlines want to fly more, they will have to pay for emissions reductions in other industries – so overall CO2 in the atmosphere will not rise because of a third runway."
Local supporters for the no-third-runway campaign include John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, Uxbridge’s MP John Randall, and Councillor Ray Puddifoot, leader of Hillingdon Council who said: “We recognise the international status of the airport but for the sake of our residents we have to say, enough is enough.”
NoTRAG campain website: http://www.notrag.org/
Hillingdon Council: www.hillingdon.gov.uk
BAA Heathrow: Future Growth: http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/page/General/Heathrow%5EGeneral%5EOur+business+and+community%5EFuture+growth/2155192363423110VgnVCM10000036821c0a____/448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____/
"Village FAces Being Wiped Off Map": http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4731948.stm
"Locals Polled on Heathrow Plans": href="http://http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6952887.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6952887.stm
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