Welcome

HACAN Clearskies stands up for all people adversely affected by the increasing number of aircraft flying in and out of Heathrow airport.

We are a lively, rational and independent lobbying group which campaigns for quieter, cleaner and safer conditions for residents living under Heathrow's flight paths.

To make this page easier to read it is divided into the following sections:

Latest News
The opposition to expansion grows (including videos and songs) and including support for rail alternatives
Things you can do to campaign against the expansion proposals
Recent protests
Collusion between the Government and BAA
Asking questions about the economic case for expansion
How will the expansion proposals affect me (including HACAN’S response to the consultation)
News Items
Older protests

Third Runway Protester Superglues himself to Gordon Brown

At an awards ceremony on 22nd July in 10 Downing Street a campaigner against Heathrow expansion superglued himself to Gordon Brown. Dan Glass, a member of the direct group Plane Stupid, superglued his hand to Brown’s jacket when he was introduced to him. As a red-faced Prime Minister struggled to get out of his jacket, Glass made a speech about the impact a third runway at Heathrow would have on climate change. The other award-winners in the room broke into spontaneous applause. Dan Glass, a 24 year old MSc student based in Scotland, had sneaked the superglue into Downing St in his underpants. He was visiting Number 10 as one of the winners of the Sheila McKecknie awards which are given each year to promising campaigners. Downing St has tried to play down the incident and will not be pressing charges.

The biggest-ever demonstration against Heathrow Expansion

On 31st May thousands of people took part in the biggest-ever demonstration against expansion at Heathrow. Local residents who had never marched before. Experienced environmental campaigners. Direct action activists. MPs from all parties. Local authorities. National environmental organisations such as Greenpeace. Campaigners from other airports. All came together to say NO to further expansion at Heathrow.

Flash Mob outside the Department for Transport
Date: 3rd July Time: 11.03am (precisely!)

Around 100 people took party in the Flash Mob throwing paper planes at the Department for Transport, each will a message for Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly. The campaigners were joined by leading Liberal Democrat Vincent Cable and Green Assembly Member Jenny Jones. All the paper planes were gathered up afterwards. On the same day Plane Stupid played aircraft noise through the door of Ruth Kelly’s London home at 7.30am at 56 decibels – below the level where the Government says it annoys people.

The first Flash Mob on the first day of Terminal 5

Monday 25th February

3,000 People Attend End-of-Consultation Rally

Comment on rally from long-standing member: “Oh what a night, I was so pleased that I was part of it. I hope you recouped a vast amount of your payout. My MP David Wilshire is a waste of space along with most of the Councillors at Spelthorne, I only wish that John McDonnell was on this side of our boundary. I will be emailing David Cameron to let him know that after 43 years as a Tory voter as long as David Wilshire is my MP I will never vote Tory again.”

3,000 packed Central Halls Westminster to protest against the expansion proposals. The upbeat rally heard powerful speeches from politicians across the political spectrum. Outright opposition from Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, Green MEP Caroline Lucas, the principal speaker of the Green Party and all four major mayoral candidates. And for the Conservatives, Peter Ainsworth, Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, accused the Government of making a decision on the basis of a ‘dodgy dossier’. The Rally was accompanied by a Lobby of Parliament.

Earlier in the day Greenpeace activists climbed on a plane, which had just arrived from Manchester and parked on the runway outside Heathrow Terminal One to voice their opposition.

Wednesday 27th February
Plane Stupid Stage Protest on House of Commons Rooftop

Activists from Plane Stupid clambered on to the roof of the Houses of Parliament to protest against Heathrow Expansion and to highlight the close relationship between BAA and the Department for Transport.

For full story

Tuesday 20th May 2007

Protest Vigil: outside the Houses of Commons

A group of mothers organised a protest vigil outside the House of Commons on 20th May from 6pm calling for a halt to airport expansion. The group is called We CAN was formed by a group of mothers who argue that “we need Climate Action Now”. The group currently includes; writer and broadcaster, Rosie Boycott and former ITN Home Affairs Editor Jennifer Nadel. Although the protest vigil is being organised by a group of mothers, everybody is welcome to join. Children are very welcome. The organisers ask people to “bring a candle and a green awareness ribbon to show you want the government to take real leadership on this issue”. Just turn up on the evening! For more details you can email them. Their website is at WE Climate Action Now. And a short film which sums it all up and was made by Rebecca Frayn can be found at view film.

Collusion Items

MPs Slam Government over Collusion with BAA on Heathrow Consultation

Heathrow MP calls for Public Inquiry into Consultation

In a debate about Heathrow on the floor of the House of Commons initiated by the Liberal Democrats on Wednesday 2nd April, MPs lined to slam the Government over collusion with BAA in drawing up the recent Heathrow consultation document and John McDonnell MP, whose constituency includes Heathrow, subsequently put down an Early Day Motion calling for an independent Public Inquiry.

Here’s just a flavour of what was said. You can catch the full debate here

The collusion has been spelt out in the Sunday Times

Sunday Times exposes collusion between Department for Transport and BAA to “fix” the evidence in favour of a new third runway at Heathrow

An investigation by the Sunday Times has found that the airports operator BAA colluded with government officials to “fix” the evidence in favour of a new third runway at Heathrow.

Click on the link to view the Sunday Times article.

October 2007: Freedom of Information Documents Reveal ‘Collusion’ between Department for Transport and BAA on Forthcoming Heathrow Expansion Consultation. They agree to put local authorities who might oppose plans on ‘risk register’

The Department for Transport (DfT) has been accused of colluding with BAA in drawing up the expansion plans for Heathrow which will form the basis of the forthcoming consultation. Documents obtained by Putney MP Justine Greening under the Freedom of Information legislation reveal the extent of BAA’s involvement.

Read the HACAN press release

‘Secret pact’ over Heathrow’s third runway

The Government is facing calls for an investigation into allegations that it is colluding with BAA, the airport operator, over plans to build a third runway at Heathrow and allow an extra 500 flights a day over London. The Department for Transport has secretly passed key information supporting the expansion to the Spanish-owned company six months before it is due to be published in a consultation document. The department has also allowed senior BAA officials to influence a series of tests designed to show whether the third runway would breach limits on air pollution and noise.

View original article - The Times - 6/6/07

Aviation industry’s links to New Labour exposed

An investigation by the Sunday Times has found the airport operator BAA has used an elaborate network of lobbying and PR groups, headed by senior Labour figures with access to the government, to promote its controversial plans for a third Heathrow runway. Among the Labour insiders recruited to front pro-aviation lobby groups are Brian Wilson, a former industry and energy minister, and Lord Soley, a former chairman of the parliamentary Labour party. Jo Irvin, now a member of Brown’s inner circle in Downing Street, not only headed BAA’s public affairs department but also fronted one of the prime lobby groups backing Heathrow expansion.

Click on the link to view the Sunday Times article.

Click here to see the full links.

During the consultation period 20,000 people attended public meetings across London and the Home Counties

Rising tide of doubt about economic value of Heathrow expansion

The Department for Transport justifies the expansion of Heathrow on economic grounds. Real questions are being asked about its arguments.

Read the reports which challenge the Government’s economic assertions:

• The independent CE Delft Report commissioned by HACAN - Read the CE DElft press release and key points summary. Read the CE DElft report.
• A ‘better not bigger’ Heathrow would work for both business and the environment. Read the latest HACAN report.
• WWF argues that Heathrow expansion could actually harm the economy if carbon was priced correctly. Read the WWF report.
• The Government-appointed Sustainable Development Commission concluded in its recent report that the evidence base for the Government’s aviation policy needs to be revisited.
• A new report from Friends of the Earth argues that the sums don’t add up.
• Video-conferencing has an important role to play as an alternative to expansion. Read a fascinating survey on business views.
• The economic assumptions on which the recent Heathrow consultation was based don’t add up.

“The claim that Heathrow expansion is vital for British business is palpable rubbish.” Simon Jenkins, Sunday Times, 2/3/08

“On every test environment, economic and quality of life, the argument for expanding Heathrow has not been made and I don’t believe it ever can. We have a duty to protect our environment not just for us, but the generations who will come after us." The Mayor, Ken Livingstone

“The Government is pushing ahead with plans for a third runway without really understanding what that means for the economy.” Former Conservative Transport Minister Steve Norris.

Lib Den leader Nick Clegg has said they don’t stack up. Conservative Environment Spokesman Peter Ainsworth says they form part of ‘a dodgy dossier’.

The Economist has questioned the value to the economy of Heathrow expansion: “The economic support for a bigger Heathrow was supplied by Oxford Economic Forecasting (OEF), a consultancy, in a report in October 2006. Paid for by the aviation industry and VisitBritain, a tourism quango, OEF's analysis also had the backing of the Confederation of British Industry and the DfT. That aviation is important to the economy is not in question. But the case for expansion is not quite as strong as OEF's conclusions suggest.” The Economist 27/3/08

Read the full article: Hemmed in at Heathrow
And check out: Rising tide of doubt about economic value of Heathrow expansion

Independent Report Questions Value of Heathrow expansion to the economy

A major new report, published today by independent research and consultancy firm CE Delft, undermines the central pillar of the Government’s case for a third runway at Heathrow and offers a viable alternative to expanding capacity.
In justifying a third runway the Department for Transport (DfT) cite a study by Oxford Economic Forecasting (OEF) which was funded, at least in part, by BAA.
The new report, commissioned by HACAN ClearSkies and titled “The economics of Heathrow expansion”, criticises the methodology used by OEF.
We are often told that a third runway is essential for the Capital’s economy. But this report shows those benefits have been overstated by the Government and the aviation lobby.

Read the CE DElft press release and key points summary

Read the CE DElft report

Read the CE DElft Summary points

MPs criticise economic case for Heathrow expansion

During the debate on Heathrow a number of MPs joined in the growing criticism that the economic case for expansion doesn’t stand up.

“They have failed to make the economic case for expansion. A recent study by CE Delft for the Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise throws into question the analysis in the Oxford Economic Forecasting report, which has been the foundation for the economic case since its publication.” Theresa Villiers MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport The consultation document has very little understanding of actual behaviour and economic drivers and of the fact that here in London business is changing. Business people do not want to be put on a flight every 10 minutes by their employers—they used to accept that, but no longer. Businesses are trying to reduce their carbon footprint. New technologies are coming through for video conferencing and other ways of communication. High-speed rail is increasingly a preferred option. We are in a period of dynamism and change, and the Government are clinging to an old technology and an old strategy just when they need not do so. The logic of what they say is that we must constantly grow and grow. If there are six new runways in Beijing, then my goodness, we must have more runways here in London. That is utterly unsustainable. If we say that at some point we must draw a line in the sand, let us draw it now before we do additional damage to London’s economy and quality of life.Anyone who thinks that the number of destinations is key should take a look at Frankfurt. It has the most destinations of any of the cities in Europe, but it is not attracting businesses away from the UK.” Susan Kramer, Liberal Democrat MP and former banker. “I should like to say something about Unite, of which I am a member. Employers always find the unions that they need when it suits them, and unions always foolishly swallow it. It was always claimed that there would be social and political armageddon in south-west London when duty-free finished, but that was nonsense. By the same token, it is utter rubbish to suggest that there will be employment implications if the Heathrow expansion does not go ahead. Moreover, accepting that proposition on employment for terminal 5 means accepting it for terminals 6, 7, 8 and so on forever. I love the Unite union very much, but that suggestion is complete rubbish.” Andrew Mackinlay, Labour MP for Thurrock

How will the proposals affect me?

Click here to find out how your area will be affected by the proposals.

But nothing is certain. The maps in the consultation document indicating the flight paths if expansion went ahead are a disgrace. The Government says it can only provide ‘indicative’ flight paths in this consultation because National Air Traffic Control (NATS) will be re-organising flight paths across the South East later this year. That is simply not good enough. It is just not good enough for the Government to imply, but not confirm, that new areas will be under landing and take-off routes. And to hide the information in obscure and difficult-to-read maps:

• Under new landing flight path for a third runway (probably): High St Kensington; Holland Park; Hammersmith; Chiswick; Southall; and Heston. From the west, Maidenhead and Slough.
• Under a new take-off flight path for a third runway (probably): Southall, Northolt, Harrow; Twickenham, Richmond, Hammersmith; Merton and Morden.
• Under a new take-flight path, with mixed-mode in place (probably): Mortlake, Richmond, Richmond Hill, Roehampton, Merton.

HACAN’s Response to the Consultation

• The consultation document is inadequate and confusing
• Many people whom the proposed changes will affect have not been properly consulted
• The air pollution projections are speculative
• The economic benefits are overstated
• The noise claims are unsupported and based on a questionable premise
• The community destruction is under-estimated.

In short, this is a discredited consultation document. We object to any expansion at Heathrow, particularly to mixed mode, the ending of alternation, any easing of the 480,000 cap on movements per year, and to the third runway.

Read the text of the HACAN response to the Consultation

What the consultation says

• For our summary of the consultation click on Heathrow Expansion at a Glance
• For background material click on Heathrow Expansion Background Briefing
• Click for details on Runway Alternation, Cranford Agreement
• For a more in-depth explanation of runway alternation click Implications of removing runway alternation
• For details of the new flight paths click below (note: these are being revised in light of the new information in the consultation document)

  View the takeoff flight paths
  View the landing flight paths

Remember this consultation has come from people with a history of deception. Read about how people have been deceived over Heathrow since the very beginning (A History of Deception). Only real public pressure will force them to abandon their proposals.

News Items

Stansted and City Airport Expansion Given the Go-ahead

Heathrow campaigners and environmentalists from around London joined forces with the local group Fight the Flights to protest against a 50% increase in flights at City Airport by taking part in a Flash Mob

The Government has upheld the findings of the Public Inquiry Inspector and granted permission for a significant increase in flight numbers on the existing runway at Stansted. For details. The Public Inquiry into a second runway at Stansted is scheduled to start in the spring. Newham Council, the planning authority, has given permission for City Airport to increase flight numbers from 80,000 per year to 120,000. Campaigners at Stansted and City Airport are consulting lawyers about challenging the decisions in court.

Competition Commission recommends break-up of BAA

The Competition Commission in its interim report has recommended that BAA sell-off both Stansted and Gatwick airports and either Edinburgh or Glasgow. It argues this will bring greater efficiency and enable expansion to take place rapidly. But a final decision will not be made until it publishes its full report in April 2007.

To read the interim report

To read comments from HACAN

To read a first-rate analysis of the report by the Times columnist Anatole Kaletsky

Kaletsky writes “The proposal to break up BAA is excellent for two broad reasons. First, competition generally yields better results….. Secondly, this particular break-up will protect London from a big environmental blight and the British economy from a serious blunder, by negating one of Gordon Brown's oddest “long-term commitments” - his incomprehensible determination to expand Heathrow.”

Heathrow expansion: Third runway will breach pollution limit, EU warns

Stavros Dimas, the European commissioner for the environment, said that plans for a third runway will "significantly" breach air pollution guidelines

View original article - The Guardian - 18/8/08

Future Heathrow Poll at variance with earlier polls. Pressure Group’s connection casts doubt on poll

The opinion poll issued yesterday by the pro-Heathrow expansion group, Future Heathrow, is at variance with earlier polls. Last year the Mayor of London commissioned a major poll from ICM which showed that 75% of people are opposed to any plans to end runway alternation at Heathrow. This ranged from 63% in Lambeth to an overwhelming 78% in Hammersmith and Hounslow and as high as 83% in Richmond and 93% in Hillingdon. These figures are consistent with polling done by the London borough of Hounslow.

Read the HACAN press release

An Inconvenient Truth. The Department for Transport “sneaks out” its first major national study on aircraft noise for a quarter of a century

The Department for Transport has been accused of sneaking out the first major national study it has produced on aircraft noise for nearly a quarter of a century. Today, 2nd November 2007 at 9.30am the Department will simply publish the ANASE study (The Attitudes to Noise from Aviation Sources in England) on its website. And, in a highly unusual move, the Department will also publish the comments of the people who were asked to peer review the study. It is thought the DfT will neither agree or disagree with the findings of the study but will highlight that the peer reviewers’ comments – some of which are critical of the study – to justify further work before the findings can be used in policy-making.

Read the HACAN press release

Read the summary of ANASE report

A major new study published in July 2007 reveals how aircraft noise has become much worse in London over the past decade

The study, carried out by the independent firm of consultants Bureau Veritas and published by the campaign group HACAN, shows that “aircraft nose dominated the local noise environment” in places over 15 miles from the airport. The report, No Place to Hide, also revealed that some parts of East London which are overflown by both City Airport and Heathrow aircraft can get as much aircraft noise as areas of West London.

Read the HACAN press release

Read the summary of the report

Read the first report - south east and east London

Read the second report - south east and east London - different aircraft types

Read the final report

Read the final report - Appendix A

Read the final report - Appendix B

Short-Haul Flights: Clogging up Heathrow’s Runways

The number of flights using Heathrow could be cut by around 100,000 a year if there were no flights to and from the destinations where there already is a good rail alternative, according to research released today by campaign group HACAN ClearSkies. The research, published to coincide with a national day of action against short haul flights has unearthed some startling figures. It shows that Paris, with 60 flights a day, is Heathrow’s top destination. Amsterdam, in second place, has 50 flights each day. And Brussels, just over two hours from London by train, has 30 daily flights. In total there are around 100,000 flights each year serving the towns with the best rail connections: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Middlesbrough.

Read the HACAN press release

Read the HACAN research

Read the HACAN background paper

Former Aviation Minister Admits Flight Numbers at Heathrow Could Rise to 800,000 a Year

For the first time a Government Minister has admitted that flight numbers at Heathrow could rise to 800,000 a year. In reply to a question from Richmond Park MP Susan Kramer, Aviation Minister Gillian Merron made it clear that this number could be reached if both a third runway went ahead and more use was made of the existing runways through the abolition of runway alternation.

Read the HACAN press release

Summer 2007: The Climate Camp and BAA Injunction

Court Injunction

BAA failed to get the injunction it was looking for in the High Court in early August. The judge, Mrs Justice Swift, threw out the application for an injunction against HACAN, AirportWatch, NOTRAG (the No Third Runway Action Group) and its Chair, Geraldine Nicholson and ordered BAA to pay their costs. She only granted a narrow injunction against Plane Stupid and anybody acting in concert with them. The named defendents John Stewart, the Chair of HACAN and Joss Garman and Leo Murray, both from Plane Stupid, agreed not to enter Heathrow Airport and selected areas in its vicinity during the month of August and to post the relevant documents on their websites.

Read the Injunction Undertaking

Read the Injunction Order

View the Undertaking Proscribed Area

Summer 2007: The Climate Camp and BAA Injunction

“From the Mother of All Injunctions to the Mother of All Setbacks”

Campaigners were delighted when the High Court yesterday only granted BAA a very limited injunction for a very limited period. The judge, Mrs Justice Swift, said that the injunction she was granting was “nothing like as wide-ranging as set out by the claimants.” HACAN Chair John Stewart said, “BAA came for the mother of all injunctions but left with the mother of all setbacks.”

Read the HACAN press release

Reports and Studies

DfT’s ‘Progress Report’ on Aviation White Paper Published

In December the Government published its review of its 2003 Aviation White Paper – what it called it ‘Progress Report’. In spite of pressure to rethink the expansionist plans in the White Paper, it stuck to its original proposals.

Key Points from the Report

• Business-as-usual’ report – still preparing for an almost trebling in number of passengers using UK airports by 2030
• Confirms Government’s desire for 3rd runway at Heathrow
• Consultation on ending of runway alternation at Heathrow put back until the Spring
• Economic justification of expansion proposals based on a report commissioned by the aviation industry
• A proposal for an ‘Emissions Cost Assessment’ to be produced by government, but details are vague.

For a more detailed summary click Airport Watch

Read the Air Transport White Paper Progress Report 2006

Older Actions Items

Tuesday 6th March 2007

Residents Disrupt Ministers’ Speech

On Tuesday 6th March Heathrow residents disrupted a keynote speech by Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander at an international aviation conference being held in Chatham House, Central London by storming onto the stage. The party managed to storm past security, and interrupted Mr Alexander’s speech. John Hunt, of Isleworth, led the charge on to the stage and delivered a speech denouncing the Government’s plans for a third runway at Heathrow before being escorted away by a security guard. At the same time residents staged a demonstration outside Chatham House.

View the Times article - The Times - 7/2/07

July 2007

West London residents halt traffic outside Department for Transport Headquarters

West London residents protesting about plans to expand Heathrow dramatically stopped traffic in July 2007 outside the Department for Transport (DfT) offices in Central London before attempting an invasion of the building. The protestors carried a bed along Marsham Street from the flat of BAA Chief Executive Stephen Nelson to the Department for Transport. In the bed were two figures symbolising the close relationship between BAA and the DfT under the slogan “DfT in bed with BAA”.

Read the press release

 

 

June 2006

European Day of Action 2006 – Heathrow Rally - United Against Expansion

Nearly 1,000 people braved one of the hottest days of the year last Saturday to take part in a major protest against any further expansion of Heathrow. The Heathrow protest, supported by local councils and local campaign groups was part of the first-ever European Day of Action on Aviation which saw events take place at over 20 airports across Europe.

Local authorities which took part in the Heathrow rally were Hillingdon, Hounslow, Slough, Richmond, Windsor & Maidenhead and Wandsworth. Also campaign groups HACAN ClearSkies, NoTRAG (No Third Runway Action Group) and Friends of the Earth.

Read the HACAN report

 

Big Ben to Eiffel Tower: Plane or Train — which is fastest?
Eurostar beats plane to Paris by over 3 hours!

In the air/train race staged by Heathrow campaign groups on Saturday 16th June to mark the European Day of Action on Aviation the people who travelled by Eurostar were on their way home by the time the air travellers would have reached the Eiffel Tower. Campaigners from Charles de Gaulle Airport raced in the opposite direction. The races were just one of many activities which took place across Europe. The theme for this year’s Day of Action is short-distance flights to highlight the fact that 45% of air trips within Europe are less than 500 kms in length. In fact, Paris is the top destination from Heathrow with 60 flights a day between the two places. Clich our press release to read the full story of the race…

Read the HACAN press release

Read the HACAN press release update

The Climate Camp

It is now recognised, even with the aviation industry, that the Climate Camp, held in August 2007, helped make Heathrow into a national issue. We understand that the widespread support the Camp received shook the Department for Transport (DfT). Within days of the camp ending Ruth Kelly, the Secretary of State for Transport, had invited the directors of leading environmental groups for a meeting to discuss aviation policy. Privately, her officials have admitted that the Climate Camp was the trigger for the invite.

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