Conservative mayoral candidate Stephen Norris has come out against a 3rd runway at Heathrow.
Conservative mayoral candidate Stephen Norris has come out against a 3rd runway at Heathrow. A Parliamentary Reception, held last night in the House of Commons (1), was told of Stephen Norris’s oppposition to a 3rd runway (2). The reception, staged jointly by Hillingdon Council and HACAN ClearSkies, brought together politicians from across London to express their opposition to a 3rd runway.
The reception, hosted by the three Hillingdon MPs, was attended by a wide range of MPs, peers, local authority representatives and campaigners (3).
John Stewart, chair of HACAN ClearSkies, said, “The message to government is crystal clear. The people and politicians of London are saying no to a 3rd runway.”
Stewart added, “It is of great significance that Stephen Norris has come out against a 3rd runway. He was a strong supporter of Terminal Five, but is now saying that enough is enough.”
Notes for Editors
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The reception, ‘London Against a Third Runway at Heathrow’, was held in Committee Room 18 of the House of Commons from 6-7pm on Tuesday 18th November. It was sponsored by HACAN ClearSkies and co-ordinated by the London Borough of Hillingdon. The reception was jointly hosted by John McDonnell MP (Lab Hayes and Harlington), John Randall MP (Con Uxbridge) and John Wilkinson MP (Con Ruislip Northwood).
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Stephen Norris sent a message of support to the meeting. Earlier he had written a letter to Hillingdon councillors outlining his position:
Dear Councillor
There are two current major issues affecting your borough where the Mayor of London has an important role — the third runway at Heathrow and the proposed West London tram scheme. I wanted, therefore, to take this early opportunity to set out my policy in these areas. As a former Minister for transport in London I am familiar with the arguments advanced for a third runway at Heathrow but I am clear that I cannot support such a proposal. The development would be detrimental to many thousands of Londoners whose homes are already significantly affected by increased levels of aircraft noise, traffic and pollution. When BAA made its case to the Inspector for a fifth terminal, the company indicated clearly that this would not necessarily lead to a third runway and I intend to hold them to that commitment. -
Amongst those attending were Jenny Tonge MP (Lib Dem, Richmond Park), Ann Keen MP (Lab Brenford and Isleworth), Alan Keen MP (Lab Feltham and Heston); Anne McIntosh MP (Con, Vale of York and an official Conservative Spokesperson on Transport and the Environment); Darren Johnson (leader of the Greens on the GLA and Green Party Mayoral candidate); Richard Barnes (GLA member for Ealing Hillingdon); Lord Richard Faulkner (Chair of the All-Party Sustainable Aviation Group); Lord Berkeley; and Nick Lester, Head of Transport and the Environment at the Association of London Government (which represents all the boroughs and which has come out against a 3rd runway). Amongst the local authorities represented were Hillingdon, Hounslow, Richmond, Wandsworth and Chelsea and Kensington. Amongst those who sent their support were Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Caroline Lucas MEP, Glenda Jackson MP and Sue Doughhty, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Minister. Gill Cannon represented the No Third Runway Campaign.
For further information contact John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957 385650.