Category: Press releases

Press Release

 10/5/15 for immediate use

 Protesters Stage Silent Air Pollution Demo in Terminal 5

 

Around 50 campaigners staged a silent protest against air pollution in Terminal 5 this afternoon.  The protesters donned masks and t-shirts to make their point that the high air pollution levels in the Heathrow area should rule out a third runway at the airport (1).  The protest comes just days after the Airports Commission announced a further consultation into air pollution at Heathrow (2) and a fortnight after the Supreme Court ordered the UK Government to produce plans by the end of the year on how it intends to tackle pollution across the country (3).

The protesters at Terminal 5 included local people whose homes are threatened by a third runway, activists based at Transition Heathrow and residents whose lives are disturbed by aircraft noise.

Local resident Neil Keveren (4), whose home faces demolition if a third runway goes ahead, said, “Right now air pollution badly affects our communities.  In a number of our areas pollution levels are above the legal limits set down by the EU.  Heathrow Airport claims things are getting better.  But it simply cannot guarantee that, with a third runway and an extra quarter of a million planes a year, air pollution levels will come down so they meet the EU legal limits.  It is just wishful thinking.”

The EU legal limits, set out in the Air Pollution Directive, came into force in 2010.  Because countries across Europe have struggled to meet them, the EU has not fined member states for breaching the limits.  But it has indicated that it expects the member states to draw up plans outlining how they will meet them.  The UK Government had argued that it could take its time in drawing up the plans but ten days ago the Supreme Court ruled that it needed to have plans in place by the end of this year.

Since 2010 air pollution levels in areas around Heathrow have consistently breached the EU legal limits.  The pollution is caused by both the high traffic volumes on the surrounding motorways and the aircraft using the airport.  Heathrow is the only airport in the UK where air pollution is above the legal limit.  Even if a second runway is built at Gatwick, it will not exceed the limits.

The Airports Commission, set up in 2012 to look at the case for new runways, issued a consultation last week into further work it has done on air pollution.  The consultation closes at the end of this month and its findings will be included in the Commission’s final report which is expected to be published in June.  The Commission will either recommend a third runway at Heathrow or a second runway at Gatwick but the Government is not bound by its findings.

ENDS

 Notes for editors:

 (1). Pictures above

(2). https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/airports-commission-air-quality-assessment

(3). http://www.clientearth.org/news/latest-news/uk-supreme-court-orders-government-to-take-immediate-action-on-air-pollution-2844

(4). Neil Keveren chair SHE (Stop Heathrow Expansion) which represents the communities close to Heathrow whose homes are threatened by a third runway.

For further information:

Neil Keveren:  07850904677

John Stewart:  0207 737 6641; 07957385650

The ancient village of Harmondsworth, which originated as a Saxon manor and is now facing demolition if a third Heathrow runway goes ahead, will be staging an Open Day on Sunday 12^th April to give the media and members of the public a chance to see what would be destroyed (1). 

The focus of the event is the re-opening of the celebrated 15th-century Great Barn for the first time since the completion of major repairs by English Heritage (2).  The Barn, described by poet Sir John Betjeman as “the cathedral of Middlesex”, was saved from developers by the intervention of a group of determined villagers, who will be available to talk to visitors. It will be open from 11am until 4pm.

A huge mural, especially created for the occasion, will illustrate the proposed airport boundary cutting through the heart of picturesque Harmondsworth.  It will be unveiled at 1.30pm providing a photo-opportunity on the village green outside the historic Five Bells pub.  This will be followed by a visit to the newly-planted trees on the Recreation Ground which demonstrates that the community intends to fight to preserve its historic roots for future generations to enjoy, rather than watch it obliterated by further expansion of the airport (3).

There will be Morris dancing at various times throughout the day (4).

SHE (Stop Heathrow Expansion) worked with the Friends of the Great Barn to organise the Open Day. Neil Keveren, the chair of SHE, said, “This is a great opportunity to see the unique village of Harmondsworth.  But it is also a chance for us to show to the world that we are utterly determined to fight for our homes and our community.  We will not be going anywhere else.”

He added, “We are thankful for the backing we have received from Hillingdon Council and from Harts, the community arts project”.

The Airports Commission has been examining potential sites for new runways in the South East and is expected to publish its final report in June.  It will recommend either a separate third runway at Heathrow, a third runway at Heathrow added to the existing northern runway (5) or a second runway at Gatwick.  The next Government will consider the recommendation but is not required to endorse it.

ENDS

 Notes for editors:

 (1). Flyer: 12th Apr flyer complete v5

(2). The Barn is a Grade I listed building. It is essentially unaltered since it was built in 1426 and over 95% of its structural timbers are original. It is owned by English Heritage who bought it in 2011 to add to the National Heritage Collection, and is managed for them by the Friends of the Great Barn. For more details see: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/harmondsworth-barn/

(3) The tree-planting is part of a council-backed project to re-forest the villages threatened by a third runway.  It is a collaborative project between SHE, Transition Heathrow and Harts, the arts network based in the villages:  http://www.communityharts.org/

(4). Datchet Border Morris will be at the Great Barn at 12.00pm; outside the Crown pub at 12.45pm; outside the Five Bells pub at 14.00; and back to the Barn at 14.30pm.

(5). This runway would not require the destruction of Harmondsworth.  It would mean the demolition of properties in Poyle, west of the airport.

For further information:

Neil Keveren, 07850904677

Christine Taylor 0208 564 8345; 07960490831

Justine Bayley (for info on the Barn), 020 8759 1874

Heathrow Airport furious NATS didn’t tell them about critical flight path changes

Heathrow Airport has issued a strong statement this afternoon explaining that they had not been informed by NATS (National Air Traffic Control) about critical changes to flight paths that took place west of the airport in June 2014.  Residents in the affected areas – Ascot, Binfield, Virginia Water and Bracknell – have consistently complained about the increase in flights over their areas.  Heathrow Airport admitted that trials had taken later in 2014 but argued that now that the trials have finished, things have returned to normal.

It now appears that Heathrow had not been told about the 2014 change which is still in place.  It means that planes are flying in more concentrated flight paths over the affected areas.

In a strong statement Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said:  “I am very concerned that NATS made this change without informing the airport or affected communities about its potential impact, particularly given its effects on some of the same areas to the west of the airport that were affected by the airspace trials we ran last year. Because of the assurances we received, we in turn told residents in good faith that no changes had occurred.  That is unacceptable and I unequivocally apologise to local residents. At my request, the Chief Executive of NATS has agreed to urgently review his company’s processes to ensure that NATS shares this information with the airport to prevent this happening again in the future.”

Heathrow has asked NATS to revert to the pre-2014 flight paths but, so far, NATS has not done so.

John Stewart, chair of the campaign group HACAN, which campaigns on behalf of residents, said, “This should be a wake up call for NATS.  In future, they need to be crystal clear with both the airport and with local communities about what they are doing.”

Stewart added, “We stand shoulder to shoulder with Heathrow in saying NATS now need to revert to the pre-2014 flight paths.  Residents have suffered for too long.”

ENDS

 Notes for Editors:

 (1).  Heathrow Airport’s statement: COMPTON FINAL STATEMENT 17 March 14

 

For further information:

 

John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650

On Saturday 7th March over 30 polar bears invaded Heathrow’s recently opened Terminal Two in a protest against the third runway.

The bears hung banners, played in the terminal and danced to sound systems.  The action, which started on the dot of 11am, lasted about 30 minutes.  No arrests were made as the protesters left of their own accord.

Check out video: https://vimeo.com/hyperoculus/timetoact …

The direct action network Plane Stupid is thought to have been behind the protest which was timed to coincide with the big climate change march that took place in London yesterday.

Rob Gray from Plane Stupid said, “If the Government is serious about tackling climate change, it should not even be thinking about a third runway at Heathrow.”

John Stewart, chair of HACAN, the anti-third runway campaign group, which was alerted to the protest, said, “Plane Stupid played a famous role in defeating the third runway last time round.  This action is a warning that the direct action protesters will be out in force again if a new runway is given the green light.”

ENDS

 For more information:

John Stewart on 07957385650

 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

Number of people disturbed by aircraft noise doubles in the last decade, according to Government survey

The number of people ‘significantly affected’ by aircraft noise has doubled in the last decade, according to the Government’s recently published National Noise Attitude Survey (1).   Four per cent of the population – over 2 million people – now consider themselves badly affected by noise from aircraft.  Another 9% say they are ‘moderately’ affected.  DEFRA, the Government department responsible for noise, has called the increase ‘strongly statistically significant’.

John Stewart, chair of HACAN, the group which campaigns for noise reduction around Heathrow, said, “The results are revealing.  This dramatic increase in the numbers disturbed by aircraft took place during a decade when planes were becoming a little quieter.  It can only be accounted for by the rise in the number of aircraft using UK airports.”

Stewart added, “It should act as a warning to those who argue that the noise climate around Heathrow will improve even if a third runway is built because of the introduction of quieter planes and improved operational practices.”

Neighbour noise remains the biggest problem with 26% of people saying they are moderately or significantly affected by it.  Road noise impacts 25% of the population.

ENDS

 Notes for Editors: The Government aims to publish the National Noise Attitude Survey every ten years.  Previous surveys were published in 1991 and 2001.  This survey is dated December 2014 but has recently been released by DEFRA.  The research for it was carried out in 2012:  http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu&Module=More&Location=None&ProjectID=18288&FromSearch=Y&Publisher=1&SearchText=no0237&SortString=ProjectCode&SortOrder=Asc&Paging=10

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