Ealing Residents to Have Their Say on Heathrow Expansion |
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Council Leader "residents are already suffering .. expansion would make things worse"
Ealing Council is encouraging residents to have their say on controversial new plans to change runway use and build a third runway and sixth terminal at Heathrow Airport. The Council is holding a series of public meetings across the borough next month and Ealing residents are being urged to attend to find out more about how the plans might affect them. They’ll also get the chance to sign a petition against the expansion. Changes to runway use could bring planes over South Ealing, Gunnersbury, and most of Acton by as early as 2010. A new runway, which might open in 2020, could mean planes flying over Southall, Greenford and Northolt for the first time, while residents in parts of Chiswick, south Ealing and Norwood Green could start hearing early morning flights from as early as 4.30am. Local councillors will be on hand at each meeting with information about the proposals and an exhibition showing how an expansion might affect west London. The Department for Transport has been invited to each meeting, but has decided not to send a representative. The meetings are taking place at: Leader of Ealing Council, Councillor Jason Stacey, said,“We’re not anti-Heathrow, but we do believe that our residents are already suffering as a result of aircraft noise and poor air quality because of the airport and we think that an expansion would only make things worse. ”Whatever people think about Heathrow, it’s definitely an important issue for the borough and we’d encourage people to make sure they find out about the plans and have their say.” The consultation on plans for a third runway closes on 27 February. Residents can have their say at www.dft.gov.uk/heathrowconsultation or by calling 0845 600 4170 for a paper copy of the consultation documents. Further public meetings arranged by local authorities: Tues 5 Feb 7.30 Battersea, Belleville School, Webb’s Road, SW11 Wed 6 Feb Ealing/Greenford (venue & time to be confirmed) Tues 12 Feb 7pm Twickenham, Clarendon Hall, York House, Richmond Road Tues 12 Feb 7pm Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, Hammersmith HACAN PUBLIC MEETING AND RALLY AT CENTRAL HALL WESTMINSTER Recorded information available on 020 8847 1727 and both websites HACAN web site is at www.hacan.org.uk February 4, 2008 |