Hear Updates on Plans for Heathrow at Public Meeting Tonight
MP Andy Slaughter and H&F Council leader among speakers in Turnham Green
Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter and H&F Council Leader Cllr Stephen Cowan are among the speakers at a public meeting to discuss the third runway and the current Heathrow consultations on flight paths taking place tonight, Tuesday 12 February at Christ Church Turnham Green. You can register here for if you wish.
The full line-up of speakers includes:
All local MPS, Ruth Cadbury, Rupa Huq and Andy Slaughter
Paul Beckford/Paul McGuinness - No 3rd Runway Coalition
Christina Smyth (Hammersmith and Fulham No 3rd Runway)
Stephen Clark (Teddington Action Group)
Cllr Stephen Cowan (Leader of Hammersmith).
CHATR, Chiswick against the Third Runway and the Bedford Park Society
The meeting is being organised by the Coalition against Heathrow expansion in conjunction with CHATR and the Bedford Park Society. THe Hammersmith and Fulham group against expansion are also involved.
"If this goes ahead, there will be a dramatic increase in noise blight and pollution over the whole area," said a spokesman for CHATR. "It will have significant implications for public health. Heathrow's proposed noise envelope maps show there could be 47 flights per hour over 65 decibels, starting from early in the morning. Using the new satellite technology, it is possible several flightpaths routes could be spread over the area.
"All this, for Heathrow expansion plans which according to the Department of Transport's own figures, show a questionable economic benefit to the country. The DfT's revised net present value for the Third runway is now -£2.5bn to +£2.9bn (depending on assumptions about scheme costs, surface access costs and wider economic benefits). It is now admitted the net benefit of a third runway at Heathrow could well be negative.
"Come and find out what is being proposed by Heathrow and what you can do about it. It is not too late to make your voice heard. Heathrow does not yet have approval. It is essential that people express their opposition."
Heathrow Airport are holding a series of consultation events in areas that will be affected by new flight paths but are not hosting one in Chiswick. This meeting is, in part a response to that omission. You can find out about the consultation and the background by reading our previous story.
The aim of the meeting is to update people on the current Heathrow Consultations which includes information about the new noise envelope and flightpaths for the Third Runway.
However, one local resident who attended one of the Heathrow consultations in Hammersmith commented that she believes the airport's consultation is "nothing more than a smoke screen."
"Heathrow is planning to introduce ‘mixed mode’ flights. This means that they will use both north and south runways at the same time. At present they are only allowed to use the runways alternately, so that we are guaranteed 50% of the daytime noise free. They plan that we should only be allowed 1/3 of the time guaranteed noise free.
"We are being offered 2 alternatives, neither of which is acceptable. We are asked to choose either to have only 4-5 hours every day, or 1 day in 3 noise free. Neither is acceptable, but their questionnaire does not allow for the status quo.
"Furthermore, Heathrow are suggesting that we should be content to start this new regime NOW, not waiting for the 3 rd runway to be built. If there never is a 3 rd runway (due to pollution concerns) Heathrow will never give up extra landing slots. We will have the extra noise for ever either way.
"It seems an opportune moment for this ‘consultation’ to be slipped under the wire when all parliamentarians are distracted by Brexit."
The consultation also asks for views on night flights. One condition Parliament laid down when it gave Heathrow the go-ahead to work up proposals for a third runway is that the current 5 hour night break is extended to 6½ hours. Heathrow is asking for views on how this should be implemented.
The eight week public consultation is on Airspace and Future Operations and will shape how Heathrow operates an expanded airport with a third runway.
They are asking the public to give comments on three key areas. These are the local factors to be considered in different geographic areas when designing future flight paths; the factors to be considered when designing new flight paths for some aircraft arrivals on the existing two runway and how they will operate three runways in the future – including managing noise; respite through runway and airspace alternation; directional preference and night flights.
Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow’s Executive Director for Expansion, said, “We are committed to delivering expansion responsibly and putting the needs of local communities at the heart of our growth plans. This stage of open and transparent consultation is critical to developing the best outcomes from Heathrow’s future airspace and operations, and we encourage you to take part and help shape our plan for a fairer, future Heathrow."
This latest consultation follows the airport’s first consultation on expansion, which was held from January to March 2018. Heathrow will hold a further consultation in June on its emerging plans for expansion, including the new runway and associated physical infrastructure.
The consultation is now open and the deadline for responding is 11.55pm on 4 March 2019. Feedback can be submitted in a number of ways:
- Online, using the dedicated consultation website
- By freepost: Post your feedback form (available at Heathrow events, from their website’s Documents section, or on request) to them at FREEPOST LHR AFO CONSULTATION
- By email: feedback@heathrowconsultation.com
February 12, 2019