GOVERNMENT
PROPOSALS TO FAVOUR THIRD RUNWAY
New
runway would mean demolition of 3,000 homes
and a new flight path over Brentford, Chiswick
and Hammersmith
A
third runway would probably
mean a flightpath directly over
Chiswick and Hammersmith
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The
Government have issued a series of studies
on the future of the aviation industry in the
South East. It is increasingly felt that they
are favouring the further expansion of Heathrow
and that a third runway is becoming inevitable.
It is almost certain that this runway would
be sited to the north of the existing terminal
buildings close to the M4. This could create
a flight path directly over Chiswick and Hammersmith
bringing up noise levels to the those currently
experienced by areas like Kew and Richmond.
The
Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling is to
issue seven regional studies setting out a
series of options, including a third runway
at Heathrow. The Government appears to be linking
information suggesting that the Heathrow option
is the favoured one at the moment.
Campaigners
against the further expansion of Heathrow believe
that this is a Government tactic to divide
opposition to airport expansion. Hacan, the
aircraft noise lobbying group and most West
and South West London councils are urging that
a greenfield site in the Thames estuary should
be considered.
However
environmental campaigners will oppose this
option due to the destruction of natural habitats
and the Government is apparently indicating
it is not the most favoured option as the investment
in related transport infrastructure would need
to be massive.
Wandsworth
Council's cabinet member for transport Kathy
Tracey said, "Ministers should explain
publicly why they appear to have dismissed
this option when the environmental arguments
against further expansion at Heathrow are so
overwhelming."
Leader
of Hounslow Council, John Chatt, is
appalled at the Government�s latest proposals:
�This is devastating news for Hounslow and
indeed the whole of west London. The impact
of nearly a quarter of a million additional
flights will be extremely harmful to residents.
When the Government went ahead with Terminal
5 after enormous local opposition, we pressed
hard for a commitment to not build a third
runway near Heathrow. We are angry and amazed.
Apart from the fact that 3000 families will
lose their homes, the environmental effect
will be catastrophic. Living in west London
will be unbearable. We fear that the Government
will push ahead at any cost, but we will be
fighting them all the way"
A
third runway could mean that there will be
210,000 additional flights and an extra 30
million passengers a year over west London.
It is estimated that over 3,000 homes would
need to be destroyed putting further stress
on the housing market in West London. The existing
public transport and road infrastructure is
already causing severe problems for local people
and the proposal released by the Government
has little to say about improving infrastructure.
The
controversial decision to proceed with Terminal
5 will bring the number of passengers travelling
to Heathrow up to 100 million a year from the
present 64 million.
British
Airways has campaigned for another
runway, saying that by 2010 Heathrow
will trail six other European airports
for hourly runway movement. Three-quarters
of travellers use airports in the
South-East but there has been no
new runway since the Second World
War. A White Paper on the matter
is likely to make the final decision
and the government have clearly indicated
their frustration with the pace of
the public enquiry into Heathrow
suggesting that the enquiry process
will be much more streamlined in
future. |
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Artists
impression of the planned Terminal
5
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Some
commentators have pointed out that this may
not be all bad news for people in this area.
One pointed out that the third runway will
be shorter and catering for smaller planes.
They claim this will mean that if there is
a new flight path over Brentford, Chiswick,
Acton and Hammersmith it will mean that large
planes such as jumbo jets will not be able
to use it and a third runway may actually reduce
noise
If
you are concerned about the possibility of
a third runway at Heathrow they can write to
Mike Fawcett, Aviation Division, DETR, 72 Marsham
St,SW1, with a copy to the Aviation Minister,
David Jamieson, Eland House, Bressenden Place,
SW1. The contact details for local MPs are
in the local government section of this site.
HACAN
ClearSkies Web Site
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