PRESS RELEASE
25/6/18 for immediate use
VOTE TO BACK THIRD RUNWAY WILL MEAN ‘TORRENTS OF NOISE’ FOR COUNTLESS COMMUNITIES
Campaigners claimed that today’s vote to back a third runway will cause countless communities to experience ‘torrents of noise’ for the first time.
John Stewart, chair of HACAN, the long-established residents’ group which has campaigned against a new runway at Heathrow for 15 years, said, “A third runway will turn peaceful areas of London and the Home Counties into torrents of noise as planes pass over at a rate of one every 90 seconds. Up to 100,000 people could experience relentless noise for the first time.”
Stewart added, “Of course the new runway is not a done deal. This vote simply permits Heathrow to draw up detailed plans which in due course will need to be approved by a planning inquiry before construction can start.”
Today’s vote in Parliament means that a third runway becomes official Government policy. The Prime Minister secured a majority of 296. 415 MPs backed a new runway, with 119 against.
A number of local authorities, backed by Greenpeace and the Mayor of London, indicated last week that they would mount a legal challenge against any vote in favour of a new runway. It is expected the courts will hear their case in the autumn.
Over the next year Heathrow will draw up and consult on its plans for the third runway with a view to presenting them to a public inquiry in 2020.
Stewart said, “Although HACAN believes a third runway is not the right answer we will engage in the consultation process in order to fight for the best deal for residents should a third runway go ahead.
ENDS
For further information:
John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650