Heathrow Airport from the air
A group of dedicated local residents has been tasked with investigating the possible impact of Heathrow Airport expansion on Hammersmith & Fulham.
Expected increases in noise and pollution will be among the issues looked at by the H&F Commission, which was established by H&F Council at a public meeting on Tuesday, November 4.
It will be led by Christina Smyth, a longstanding Hammersmith resident and experienced former civil servant, supported by resident representatives from different parts of the borough.
The Commission will gather evidence and assess possible impact of the expansion of Heathrow Airport before reporting back to the council in January.
It comes amid a surge of interest in the future of the Heathrow, which alongside Gatwick has been shortlisted for possible expansion by the Airports Commission.
More than 150 people left comments on the council's website in October and 40 residents continued the debate in Tuesday's meeting of the Community Safety, Environment and Residents Services Policy and Accountability Committee, when the commission was appointed.
Cllr Larry Culhane, who chairs the committee, said: "It's not surprising that Heathrow expansion proposals generate such huge interest among residents – being under the flight path affects us all.
“It is important that H&F can put in a forceful and evidence-based representation to the Airports Commission, so I want to thank Christina Smyth for volunteering her time and everyone who has contributed to the debate so far. I strongly encourage residents to have their say so that we can speak with a powerful voice on this issue to the Airports Commission."
Christina said: "We have already been looking very carefully at all the web comments, and when we get some more formal responses back from residents and key organisations we will be looking at every single thing. We'll have to see what the weight of the evidence is and what reasonable inferences can be drawn."
The first meeting of the commission will be held on November 11 and a public hearing will follow on Wednesday, December 10.
Welcoming its launch, John Stewart, chair of campaign group HACAN, which represents residents under the Heathrow flight paths, said: "The focus is absolutely right, which is the possible impact of a third runway on the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. If that remains the focus, this will be a unique and distinct contribution to the debate."
Please leave your comments below. To make a formal submission, please write to Christina Smyth c/o Tom Conniffe by email to tom.conniffe@lbhf.gov.uk or by post to Room 39, Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, London W6 9JU. Submissions must include your name and address.
