Author: John Stewart

 Government figures released yesterday show that air pollution around Heathrow will still exceed the EU air pollution limits by 2030, even without the addition of a third runway.  The figures, published by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) following a Freedom of Information request by campaign group Clean Air in London, reveal pollution limits on the A4 road running along the north border of Heathrow Airport will be over the legal limits in 2030.

The legal limits were introduced by the European Union in 2010.  They continue to be breeched by member states, including the UK.  However, the EU does expect limits to be met by 2020 or member states will be fined.

Heathrow is the only airport in the UK where the air pollution limits are regularly breeched.  The combination of traffic on the surrounding roads, including the M4 and the M25, and aircraft using the airport, accounts for the problem.  A third runway would increase flight numbers by a quarter of a million each year.

John Stewart, chair of the campaign group HACAN which opposes a new runway, said, “These dramatic figures suggest once again that air pollution could be a show-stopper as far as a third runway in concerned.”

The Airports Commission, which is looking at whether a new runway should be built at Heathrow or Gatwick, will do further work on air pollution before it publishes its final report, expected in June.

ENDS

 For further information:

John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650

Heathrow insulation scheme: “more generous than we have seen before but a sign of how eager the airport is to get a third runway”.

 Campaign group HACAN has welcomed today’s proposals by Heathrow Airport to provide residents with more noise insulation as “more generous than we have seen before but a sign of how eager the airport is to get a third runway.”

Heathrow Airport announced that, if a new runway goes ahead, it will extend its noise insulation scheme to cover everybody living within the area where noise is officially a problem (1).  It means that people living over 15 miles from the airport, in places such as Clapham, will get financial help to install noise installation; around 160,000 households in total.  The airport has set aside £700 million pounds for the purpose.

HACAN chair John Stewart said, “There is no doubt that this is much more generous than anything we have seen before and it brings Heathrow into line with other major European airports.  But it does show how eager the airport is to get a new runway.  It also suggests that residents have been short-changed in the past”.

Heathrow is dividing the area where people are eligible for insulation into the inner and outer zones.  Those living in the inner zone will get 100% of their costs covered.  Those in the outer zone will get a grant of up to £3,000.

The announcement by Heathrow comes a day before the end of the consultation by the Airports Commission into whether a new runway should be built at Heathrow or Gatwick.

ENDS

 Notes for editors:

 (1).  Technically, this is defined at the 55Lden contour, i.e. the area where noise averages out at 55 decibels or more over a 24 hour period.  It is the measurement used by the European Union.

For more information:

John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650

 

 

Press Release

30/1/15 for immediate use

 Campaigners link up with cross-party group of politicians to remind David Cameron to stick to his promise on 3^rd runway

 Downing Street event on February 3rd

 At 2pm on February 3rd (1), to mark the end of the current consultation by the Airports Commission, a cross-party group of MPs, accompanied by campaigners from across London (2), will hand in a letter (3) to Number 10 urging the Prime Minister to stick to his promise made before the 2010 General Election, “No ifs; no buts; there will be no third runway.”  Between 1.30pm and 2pm a larger group of anti-third runway campaigners will gather in Whitehall outside the gates of Downing Street.  They will include people from the Heathrow villages whose homes will be demolished if a new runway is built as well as members of the Green Party and UKIP.

John Stewart, chair of the campaign group HACAN, said, “We are deliberately targeting Downing Street because the decision about a new runway will be a political one.  The politicians can override whatever recommendations the Airports Commission will come up with in the summer.”

Stewart added, “This event once again demonstrates the cross-party nature of the opposition to a third runway.  It also shows the geographical spread of the current problems caused by Heathrow which can only get worse if a new runway is built.  Representatives of groups from as far apart as Brockley and Teddington will be going into Downing Street.”

ENDS

 Notes for Editors:

 (1). The delegation will be outside Number 10 at 2pm.  A group of campaigners and supporters will be outside the gates in Whitehall from about 1.30pm but, note, this is not a mass demonstration.  However, the event will provide good photo-opportunities.

(2). Politicians going into Downing Street will include Adam Afyie, Angie Bray, Zac Goldsmith, Caroline Lucas, Mary Macleod , John McDonnell, and John Randall.  The campaign groups will be represented by John Stewart, HACAN; Neil Keveren, Stop Heathrow Expansion (representing the Heathrow villages); Natasha Fletcher, Teddington Action Group; Elise Parkin; Brockley Aircraft Noise; and Peter Willan, Richmond Heathrow Campaign

(3). This is the text of the letter:

Dear Prime Minister,

We call on you to remember the promise that you made before the last General Election: “No ifs; no buts; there will be no Third Runway” and to reject any plans that might come forward for a third runway at Heathrow.

Yours sincerely,

Adam Afryie MP

Angie Bray MP

Zac Goldsmith MP

Kate Hoey

Caroline Lucas MP

Mary Macleod MP

John McDonnell MP

John Randall

Andy Slaughter MP

Baroness Jenny Tonge

John Stewart, Chair HACAN

Neil Keveren, Chair Stop Heathrow Expansion

Natasha Fletcher, Teddington Action Group

Elise Parkin; Brockley Aircraft Noise;

Peter Willan, Chair Richmond Heathrow Campaign

For further information:  John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650