Heathgrow? Time to air your views

by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
14/01/2008

Despite repeated calls from local campaigners the Department for Transport (DfT) has refused to fully explain their Heathrow expansion plans to Hammersmith and Fulham residents.

A consultation on plans to increase the use of the two existing runways before adding a third began before Christmas. Given the fact that half of the borough is under the flight path many residents were keen to learn more about the proposed changes.

But residents are now fuming at the news that the official DfT consultation will not take place in Hammersmith & Fulham. Instead DfT officials expect local people to travel miles to either Brentford or Richmond to attend exhibitions there. The bombshell comes despite serious complaints over night flights – especially in Fulham – as well as mounting environmental concerns. 

But H&F Council has stepped in to help residents, opposed to uncontrolled expansion at Heathrow Airport, to arrange a public meeting of their own.

Council Leader, Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, says, “It’s just lazy of the DfT to expect residents to travel to other boroughs to discuss issues specific to Hammersmith & Fulham. Despite residents’ obvious concerns and the council’s active campaigning on this issue the DfT is simply ignoring local people. We are a council that listens to people and puts residents first. That is why we have organised a Heathrow Summit so that residents’ views can be aired in public.”

Experts predict that if the plans are given the green light following the ‘consultation’ the number of flights will soar from less than 500,000 a year to more than 700,000. The increase is equivalent to building a new airport at least the size of Gatwick. 

John Stewart, Chairman of HACAN Clearskies, says, “In West London residents are already suffering undue noise levels from aircraft. It doesn’t bear thinking about what 700,000 flights will do. With all the extra planes there will be extraordinary health implications for residents.”

Researchers have proved that noise pollution from planes dominated areas up to 12 miles away from Heathrow – including Hammersmith & Fulham. The report, appropriately titled No Place to Hide, revealed that the greatest increases in movements have taken place in the early mornings and evenings. 

Councillor Greenhalgh concluded, “H&F residents cannot be ignored. If necessary, I will knock on the Minister’s door personally to make sure the views from our Heathrow Summit are heard loud and clear.”

The public meeting to discuss Heathrow Airport's impact on the borough starts at 7.00pm in Hammersmith Town Hall on 12 February.

Sign up to stop uncontrolled Heathrow expansion by clicking on: www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopheathrowexpansion/?e 

Further information on the DfT consultation is available at www.dft.gov.uk/heathrowconsultation/