Runnymede Council drops it support for Heathrow Expansion

Last week Runnymede Council dropped its support for Heathrow expansion.  It became the first council to change from a position of supporting a new runway at Heathrow to backing a second runway at Gatwick.  A packed public gallery burst into applause when the council’s Corporate Management Committee voted by six votes to three to change the policy.  Many of the residents were from areas that had seen an increase in flight numbers during the recent trials by Heathrow.  The Committee argued that the environmental downsides outweighed any economic benefits that Runnymede might get from expansion.  The decision means that only two councils, Slough and Spelthorne, as fully behind expansion.

HACAN had sent councillors a detailed briefing before the meeting: Runnymede Briefing 140115