Numbers that will worry any Government
Well over a million people in London and the South East oppose a third runway at Heathrow. And there is no sign of their opposition weakening. Indeed, the support for Heathrow expansion has remained static over the last seven years or so.
The figures have come to light following an analysis of recent polls by the campaign group HACAN which opposes expansion of Heathrow. HACAN looked at the Populus polls commissioned by Heathrow Airport (1).
They show that:
- A stubborn one third of the population consistently opposes a third runway
- Around 50% of people support expansion
- These figures have not changed over the last seven years
A poll of more than 1,000 local residents carried out by Populus last year showed 48% in favour of a third runway while 34% oppose: http://www.populus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Heathrow-Borough-Poll-March-2014.pdf. A 2007 Populus poll found 50% supported a 3rd runway and 30% against were against: http://www.populus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/download_pdf-170907-BAA-Heathrow-Future-Heathrow-Poll.pdf”
In 2014 Populus polled seven boroughs – Hillingdon, Hounslow, Richmond, Ealing, Windsor and Maidenhead, Spelthorne and Kinsgton. Around a third of people opposed a third runway in each borough. That is about 480,000 in total.
HACAN chair John Stewart said, “If nearly half a million are opposed to a new runway in just seven boroughs, we can say with some certainty that over a million people across London and the South East don’t want it. These are figures which will worry any Government thinking of giving a green light to a new runway. In political terms, the level of support for expansion almost becomes irrelevant”
Stewart added, “What is also significant is that the figures have hardly budged over the last seven years despite the huge advertising and PR campaigns mounted by Heathrow Airport.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
(1). HACAN has expressed reservations about the Populus polls believing there may be a bias in them towards expansion at Heathrow.
For further information:
John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650