“This must rank as one of the longest guilty pleas in history”
Pressure group HACAN ClearSkies has claimed that the publication of BAA’s Water Strategy last week (1), is the first time the company has admitted the extent of the problems it has faced. BAA admits it has not cleaned up all the rivers and holding ponds that have been polluted by run-off water from the airport. The Strategy reveals that BAA has particular problems in dealing with groundwater.
HACAN ClearSkies ecology specialist Mike Riley said, “While we are pleased that BAA has at long last produced a strategy to deal with the water pollution it causes, we remain concerned that it has taken years for the company to admit the seriousness of the problem if faced. For over four years we have beeen called scaremongers and worse for pointing out the problems BAA now admits were there all the time! This must rank as one of the longest guilty pleas in history.”
Mike Riley added, “After years of almost complete denial that the airport was a major source of water pollution, BAA has recognised the real problems that we have been highlighting and investigating over the last four years. We will continue with our own investigations into river silt and monitor BAA’s progress in cleaning up the area around Heathrow. We will also press BAA to look at the areas further away from the airport. There is evidence to suggest that they are being polluted by run-off water from the airport.”
Note for Editors
- The Water Quality Strategy, published by BAA, sets out the company’s plans for dealing with water for the years 2003-2008. The Strategy will be reviewed each year.
For further information contact Mike Riley on 07810 007477 or John Stewart, Chair HACAN ClearSkies, on 0207 737 641 or 07957 385650.