Heathrow Petition Ignored By Government

2.27.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 5th May 2007

The Government has responded to the e-petition signed by 3141 local residents that asked the "…Prime Minister to stop the expansion of Heathrow."

The Downing Street web site contains the Government response which states: "The Government supports in principle the further development of Heathrow, by adding a third runway and/or by making better use of existing runways as set out in the 2003 Air Transport White Paper………We do not accept the assertion that the quality of life for two million London residents would be reduced if Heathrow were expanded."

Speaking on behalf of the 2M Group, an alliance of 12 local authorities fighting airport expansion, Cllr Serge Lourie, Leader of Richmond upon Thames Council, said:

"This response shows that the Government has made up its mind in advance of the consultation it is going to start shortly on whether Heathrow should be almost trebled in size from the present 68m passengers per annum to 151m. The outcome of all this will have huge consequences for everyone affected by aircraft noise and a consultation of this size and complexity must not be rushed through. There are a number of major proposals here, each of which will demand full consideration. The ending of runway alternation will have devastating effects on people living under the flight paths. Local people must have every opportunity to have their say and we will be lobbying the Government hard to ensure this is the case, and that ample time is allowed. We will also be taking legal advice on the implications of the statement on the Downing Stet web site that a decision has already been taken. We will respond robustly as our fear is that every last drop of capacity is being squeezed out of Heathrow with little regard for the environmental consequences. The 2M Group, which represents more than 2 million people affected by aircraft noise, will keep up the pressure on the Government. Safeguarding the quality of life of local people is our priority."