“Cynical bribe” in Battle for Third Runway

Assembly member criticises BAA offer of loft and window insulation

Conservative London Assembly Member Tony Arbour has criticised British Airports Authority’s “cynically timed” decision to offer loft and window insulation to 41,000 homeowners, living under Heathrow’s night time flight path.

The offer comes just over two months before the end of the consultation on Heathrow’s expansion.

It also follows a recent report, which found that Heathrow flights annoy two million more people than previously thought. Current noise restrictions are set at 57 decibels – the officially recognized level at which aircraft noise is deemed to be “very annoying”.

But the report found that in fact people become “very annoyed” by aircraft noise at a quieter 43 decibels – massively increasing the area and increasing the number of people experiencing annoyance.

Mr Arbour said, “The timing of this offer exposes it as nothing more than a cynical bribe. The Government is ignoring public opinion by pushing through proposals for a third runway at Heathrow. BAA knows how unpopular this is for upwards of two million people and I don’t believe that my constituents will be impressed by this shameless opportunism.

“A third runway would result in an increase in noise – not to mention the environmental impact of higher CO2 emissions and reduced air quality in the area around Heathrow.

“I remain absolutely opposed to Heathrow expansion and encourage the Mayor of London to do all in his power to prevent it from going ahead.”

January 5, 2008