Residents are urged to share their views on the government’s plan to drastically expand Heathrow Airport. Hammersmith & Fulham Council oppose the plans because of the negative impact they would have on air quality, traffic and noise in the borough.
The government has recently begun consulting residents in West London following its decision in October 2016 to support Heathrow expansion.
The Department for Transport’s (DfT) consultation will come to Hammersmith Town Hall on Monday 6 March from 11am to 8pm.
“We, like many of our residents, are horrified at the idea of more planes, more air pollution, more traffic and less respite from noise, said Cllr Wesley Harcourt, H&F Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Residents’ Services.
“For some, the noise is already intolerable and that’s why H&F created a resident-led commission in 2015, to put our residents in the driving seat on this important issue.
“We want to be the greenest borough in the country and that means protecting residents and our wildlife against noise pollution from aircraft and air pollution from the extra road traffic expansion would bring.
“This is a massive issue, so it is imperative residents make their voices heard, by attending the consultation day, or responding online.”
For anyone that can’t attend the consultation day, you can respond online.
Residents lead the way
The Residents’ Commission was formed in 2015 to examine the effects on H&F and to make policy recommendations. For balance, the commission comprised residents both supporting and opposing the expansion plans.
They gave us a very detailed and considered report and advised that H&F should resist the expansion - this is now council policy.
Our concerns
In short, we are concerned about
- the additional noise from extra flights and new flightpaths over H&F
- worsening air pollution
- the extra congestion on our roads and the Piccadilly Line.
We’re also concerned about the lack of information on this in the consultation and will be pressing the government to explain how residents’ quality of life will be protected.
Get involved
If you’d like to get involved with the local third runway residents’ group, visit this link, or email christina@d-and-c-smyth.co.uk
For further information on the proposals and the commission’s report visit our website.
