The campaign against the third runway at Heathrow has kicked off today. Campaigners have reacted with anger and disbelief to the news, leaked today (1), that the Airports Commission Interim Report, to be published on 17th December, favours two more runways at Heathrow.
The Commission, chaired by Sir Howard Davies, is expected to go for a third runway at Heathrow followed by a fourth Heathrow runway or a second runway at Gatwick. The draft of the report, presented to Chancellor George Osborne, ruled out new runways at Stansted or an Estuary Airport . It is thought, however, that Tuesday’s report may formally retain more options in an attempt to give it some balance.
John Stewart, who chairs HACAN, which represents residents under the Heathrow flight paths, said, “Davies has put Heathrow front and centre of his thinking. There will be fury across whole swathes of London and the Home Counties. The campaign against a third runway starts today with Davies seen as a busted flush.”
Stewart added,”It is astonishing that Davies has put so much faith in an option he must know is politically the hardest to deliver. The one good thing is that he will force political parties to come out for or against a 3rd runway before the 2015 General Election.”
Geraldine Nicholson, who chaired NoTRAG, (The No Third Runway Action Group), said,”This means that thousands of people stand to lose their homes. If Howard Davies thinks they are going to stand by and let that happen, he is sorely mistaken”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
(1). link to Guardian article http://gu.com/p/3y52k/tw
(sources subsequently confirmed to HACAN that the Guardian article is broadly correct)
For further information:
John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650
Sipson, Harmonsdsworth, Harlingon area:
Geraldine Nicholson on 07710523369; 01895 854519
Christine Taylor 0208 564 8345;
Stanwell Moor:
Kathleen Croft 01753 683853