Heathrow expansion – Council wins major concession on consultation
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
21/01/2008
The Government has agreed to extend consultation on Heathrow expansion across the entire borough, following the direct intervention of Hammersmith and Fulham Council Leader, Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh.
Cllr Greenhalgh met Aviation Minister Jim Fitzpatrick last Wednesday as part of the 2M delegation of local authorities which have grouped together to oppose uncontrolled expansion. Up until now, only residents in Fulham have been consulted, even though the plans would affect the entire borough.
Cllr Greenhalgh said: “It was outrageous that residents in Hammersmith and Shepherds Bush would have been denied the chance to have their say, even though they are the ones who will have to put up with extra noise, pollution, overcrowded trains and road congestion should these plans ever be implemented. Thankfully the Minister saw sense and the consultation will be extended. It is absolutely vital that residents now use this opportunity to have their say.”
H&F Council is writing to every resident in the borough outlining what the proposals would mean while giving them a chance to have their say. A public meeting has been organised at Hammersmith Town Hall on Tuesday February 12, starting at 7.00pm. It will feature a presentation from Clive Soley, Campaign Director of Future Heathrow, which is advocating expansion.
The meeting will be chaired by Councillor Nick Botterill, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, along with Councillor Eugenie White, Chairman of the Cleaner, Greener Scrutiny Committee. A separate exhibition outlining the proposals will be also held at Hammersmith and Fulham Town Halls between 4-12 February.
Cllr Nick Botterill said: “We have had to step in and arrange this meeting because both BAA and the Government have refused to hold an event in this borough where residents could hear for themselves what is proposed. Strictly speaking it is the DfT’s consultation rather than BAA’s. We are absolutely determined to give our residents the maximum chance to have their say on this important issue.”
H&F Council’s major concerns are:
- The increased numbers of arrivals over Fulham, a new arrivals flight path over Hammersmith and two new departure flight paths over Shepherd's Bush.
- The increase in flights predicted by experts which will soar from less than 500,000 a year now to more than 700,000. This increase is equivalent to building a new airport at least the size of Gatwick.
- The threat of more night flights.
- The noise pollution from planes which researchers have proved dominates areas up to 13 miles away from Heathrow – which would include Hammersmith & Fulham.
- The plans for a third runway which would bring this disturbance to parts of the borough previously unaffected by aircraft noise.
- The expansion which would also put further strain on the road network and our already overcrowded Piccadilly and District Lines.
Currently the consultation process is due to close on Wednesday February 27. As members of 2M the council is pushing for this deadline to be extended.
