Author: John Stewart

West London will become ‘the noise capital of the world’, claims pressure group

Anti-noise group HACAN ClearSkies has claimed that the number of aircraft over London will soar if the Government goes ahead with proposals to end runway alternation at Heathrow (1). At present, planes use one runway for landings and one for take-offs, changing over at 3 o’clock in order to give people living under the final flight path some relief from the noise. In the Aviation White Paper, published on 16th December, the Government announced proposals to end this practice (2). It wants to introduce ‘mixed-mode’, where planes would land on both runways simultaneously for much of the day.

The Government has already asked the airport operator BAA to draw up plans to end runway alternation. These plans will be put out to public consultation later this year.

John Stewart, Chair of HACAN ClearSkies, said, “Ending runway alternation sounds like a mere technical change. In fact, it is anything but. Runway alternation is a life-saver for the people of West London. It is the only thing that gives them some relief from the noise. They now face the prospect of a plane passing overhead, one every 90 seconds, for much of the day. It will turn West London into the noise capital of the world. None of the local residents believe the Government’s claims that it is only looking to end runway alternation during peak hours and they are furious because, less than two years ago, the then Transport Minister accepted the Terminal Five Planning Inspector’s recommendations that the number of flights at Heathrow should be capped, specifically to preserve existing practice.”

Stewart added, “But it is not only the people of West London who will suffer. More planes using Heathrow will mean more planes in the skies over London and the Thames Valley. It will be like living under a sky of sound.”

Notes for Editors

1. Runway alternation means that planes landing over London land on one of Heathrow’s runways between 7am and 3pm, before switching to the other runway which they use from 3pm – 11.30pm. So, for example, if planes land on the northern runway between 7am and 3pm, they will take-off during those hours on the southern runway. At 3pm, they will switch round. Runway alternation only benefits those people in West London who live under the final flight paths in Heathrow, ie the area from about Putney/Barnes westwards. There is no runway alternation when the planes approach over Berkshire (on the days an east wind is blowing) because planes are not permitted by the Cranford Agreement to take off eastwards from the northern runway. There is no runway alternation at all between 6am grfand 7am, when both runways are used for landing aircraft.

2. The White Paper said, “Our current assessment is that a new runway at Heathrow could not come into operation before some time in the period 2015-2020. It is important, therefore, to consider the scope for greater utilisation of the two existing runways. For example, mixed mode operation in peak hours might be introduced, while retaining runway alternation for the rest of the time.”

For more information contact John Stewart on 0207 737 6641, 07957 385650 or Anne Hardy on 0208 878 3629.

White Paper condemns London and the Thames Valley to ‘years of uncertainty’

But campaigners ‘having won the first round’ confident of final victory

Pledge to stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with campaigners at other airports

Pressure group HACAN ClearSkies has claimed there will be years of uncertainty for the people of London and the Thames Valley as a result of the Government’s refusal in today’s White Paper to rule out a 3rd runway. It claimed that the houses that would be required for a 3rd runway will remain blighted. It also expressed dismay that runway alternation may be brought to an end in West London (1).

John Stewart, Chair of HACAN ClearSkies, said, “Alistair Darling has left Heathrow up in the air. Of course, we are pleased that a third runway has been ruled out for now. But blight and uncertainty remains. We will redouble our efforts to ensure that further expansion at Heathrow is ruled out for ever and a day. We have won the first round. We are confident of final victory.”

Stewart added, “The threat to end runway alternation in West London will cause fury amongst local people. It is the only thing that makes life bearable for them. It will also be a betrayal of the Government’s promise that flight numbers at the airport would not exceed 480,000 a year (2). We will oppose mixed-mode tooth and nail.”

HACAN ClearSkies argues the no new runways in the UK would be required if the tax concessions currently enjoyed by the aviation industry were removed (3).

Stewart said, “Our battle is not with the campaigners at Stansted and Gatwick, but with the Government and the aviation industry. We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow campaigners at the other airports.”

Notes for Editors

1. At present people living under the flight paths in West London (from Barnes to Heathrow) only get planes for half the day. One week they will land on the southern runway between 7am and 3pm (and take off from the northern runway) and on the northern runway between 3pm and 11.30pm (and take off from the southern runway). The following week they swap round. This only applies when planes land over London – they do this when the west wind is blowing (75% of the time during a typical year). There is no runway alternation when planes approach Heathrow from the west – the reason for this is that planes are not permitted to take off to the east from the northern runway because of the Cranford Agreement. The Cranford Agreement protects Cranford which is just yards from the eastern end of the northern runway. The Government has already announced it will review the Cranford Agreement in 2004.

2. When giving permission for Terminal 5 to go ahead the Government accepted the recommendation of the Public Inquiry Inspector that there should be a cap of 480,000 on the number of flights using the airport each year. At present there are around 462,000. The introduction of mixed-mode would bring flights numbers over the 480,000 limit. To break the limit, BAA would need to get the permission of a planning inquiry.

3. For At present the tax concessions amount to £9 billion a year, through no tax on aviation fuel and no VAT on aviation transactions. If the VAT exemptions were removed and fuel was taxed at the same rate as petrol for cars, work published by the Aviation Environment Federation shows that, although there would be growth, there would be no demand for any new runways or airports.

Further information contact John Stewart on 0207 737 6641, 07957 385650, or 0776 9838273 (Tuesday only) or Monica Robb on 0208 876 0455.

Protestors block key road leading to the site

Early this morning a group of direct action protesters disrupted work on the site of Heathrow Terminal Five by blocking a key road leading to the site. The protesters have blocked a road that carries the vehicles that work on the site over Stanwell New Road (1).

This is the second time within a month that direct action protesters have disrupted work. Last month protesters occupied a crane on the Terminal Five Site for almost a week.

John Stewart, Chair of the anti-noise group HACAN ClearSkies, “Once again I’m sure that many local people will support the direct action. When the protesters climbed the crane last month we got lots of letters and phone calls from people wishing them well.”

Stewart added, “People are angry and bitter. They feel that they have been let down and lied to by the authorities. They were told that there would be no further expansion after Terminal Four. Then they were led to believe that Terminal Five would be the last major development at Heathrow. Now they are faced with the prospect of a 3rd runway. Many believe that direct action is the only thing that will make the authorities sit up and take notice.”

Notes for Editors

1. The road carries vehicles over Stanwell New Road. It is just south of the roundabout that connects Stanwell New Road with Bath Road.

For more information contact John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957 385650.

Conservative mayoral candidate Stephen Norris has come out against a 3rd runway at Heathrow.

Conservative mayoral candidate Stephen Norris has come out against a 3rd runway at Heathrow. A Parliamentary Reception, held last night in the House of Commons (1), was told of Stephen Norris’s oppposition to a 3rd runway (2). The reception, staged jointly by Hillingdon Council and HACAN ClearSkies, brought together politicians from across London to express their opposition to a 3rd runway.

The reception, hosted by the three Hillingdon MPs, was attended by a wide range of MPs, peers, local authority representatives and campaigners (3).

John Stewart, chair of HACAN ClearSkies, said, “The message to government is crystal clear. The people and politicians of London are saying no to a 3rd runway.”

Stewart added, “It is of great significance that Stephen Norris has come out against a 3rd runway. He was a strong supporter of Terminal Five, but is now saying that enough is enough.”

Notes for Editors

1. The reception, ‘London Against a Third Runway at Heathrow’, was held in Committee Room 18 of the House of Commons from 6-7pm on Tuesday 18th November. It was sponsored by HACAN ClearSkies and co-ordinated by the London Borough of Hillingdon. The reception was jointly hosted by John McDonnell MP (Lab Hayes and Harlington), John Randall MP (Con Uxbridge) and John Wilkinson MP (Con Ruislip Northwood).

2. Stephen Norris sent a message of support to the meeting. Earlier he had written a letter to Hillingdon councillors outlining his position:

   Dear Councillor
   There are two current major issues affecting your borough where the Mayor of London has an important role — the third runway at Heathrow and the proposed West London tram scheme. I wanted, therefore, to take this early opportunity to set out my policy in these areas. As a former Minister for transport in London I am familiar with the arguments advanced for a third runway at Heathrow but I am clear that I cannot support such a proposal. The development would be detrimental to many thousands of Londoners whose homes are already significantly affected by increased levels of aircraft noise, traffic and pollution. When BAA made its case to the Inspector for a fifth terminal, the company indicated clearly that this would not necessarily lead to a third runway and I intend to hold them to that commitment.

3. Amongst those attending were Jenny Tonge MP (Lib Dem, Richmond Park), Ann Keen MP (Lab Brenford and Isleworth), Alan Keen MP (Lab Feltham and Heston); Anne McIntosh MP (Con, Vale of York and an official Conservative Spokesperson on Transport and the Environment); Darren Johnson (leader of the Greens on the GLA and Green Party Mayoral candidate); Richard Barnes (GLA member for Ealing Hillingdon); Lord Richard Faulkner (Chair of the All-Party Sustainable Aviation Group); Lord Berkeley; and Nick Lester, Head of Transport and the Environment at the Association of London Government (which represents all the boroughs and which has come out against a 3rd runway). Amongst the local authorities represented were Hillingdon, Hounslow, Richmond, Wandsworth and Chelsea and Kensington. Amongst those who sent their support were Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Caroline Lucas MEP, Glenda Jackson MP and Sue Doughhty, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Minister. Gill Cannon represented the No Third Runway Campaign.

For further information contact John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957 385650.

“This must rank as one of the longest guilty pleas in history”

Pressure group HACAN ClearSkies has claimed that the publication of BAA’s Water Strategy last week (1), is the first time the company has admitted the extent of the problems it has faced. BAA admits it has not cleaned up all the rivers and holding ponds that have been polluted by run-off water from the airport. The Strategy reveals that BAA has particular problems in dealing with groundwater.

HACAN ClearSkies ecology specialist Mike Riley said, “While we are pleased that BAA has at long last produced a strategy to deal with the water pollution it causes, we remain concerned that it has taken years for the company to admit the seriousness of the problem if faced. For over four years we have beeen called scaremongers and worse for pointing out the problems BAA now admits were there all the time! This must rank as one of the longest guilty pleas in history.”

Mike Riley added, “After years of almost complete denial that the airport was a major source of water pollution, BAA has recognised the real problems that we have been highlighting and investigating over the last four years. We will continue with our own investigations into river silt and monitor BAA’s progress in cleaning up the area around Heathrow. We will also press BAA to look at the areas further away from the airport. There is evidence to suggest that they are being polluted by run-off water from the airport.”

Note for Editors

1. The Water Quality Strategy, published by BAA, sets out the company’s plans for dealing with water for the years 2003-2008. The Strategy will be reviewed each year.

For further information contact Mike Riley on 07810 007477 or John Stewart, Chair HACAN ClearSkies, on 0207 737 641 or 07957 385650.

Residents ‘won’t lose any sleep’ over the end of Concorde

Residents won’t lose any sleep over the end of Concorde (1) pressure group HACAN ClearSkies claimed today.

John Stewart, Chair of HACAN ClearSkies, said, “Residents under the flight path won’t lose any sleep over the demise of Concorde. Undoubtedly it was a beautiful bird, but it was also one of the noisiest and dirtiest beasts in the sky.”

Stewart added, “The real significance today, though, is that Concorde has shown that supersonic air travel has proved uneconomic. It means that manufacturers are now more likely to concentrate on producing cleaner and quieter sub-sonic planes rather than a new generation of supersonic jets. If supersonic travel had taken off, the constant noise for people under flight paths would have been truly horrendous.”

Notes for Editors

1. Concorde’s last flight will take place on Friday 24th October.

For further information contact John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957 385650.

Campaigners turn up at Magistrates Court to support direct action crane protesters

The direct action protesters who climbed a crane on the Terminal 5 site at Heathrow were given a conditional discharge at Uxbridge Magistrates Court today. Each of the protesters were also asked to pay costs of £55.

Local campaigners against airport expansion tuned up at the court to support the protesters.

John Stewart, Chair of HACAN ClearSkies, which represents residents under the flight path, said, “An increasing number of local people now believe that direct action is the only way to make the Government listen. They feel that for years successive governments have ignored the concerns of people living under the Heathrow flight path. They were proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the crane protesters.”

Notes for Editors

1. All 8 protesters appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court at 9.30 am charged with “Aggravated Trespass”. One person pleaded not guilty. The Court will fix a date for his trial on November 3rd. The other seven protesters pleaded guilty.

On Monday 6th October the protestors climbed a crane on the site of Terminal 5. Four of them came down at the end of the day, but the remaining protestors stayed up until Saturday morning.

For further information contact John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957 385650.