Royal Borough council's ‘serious concerns’ about Heathrow's third runway
The airport submitted plans for a third runway last Friday
The Royal Borough council has stressed it has ‘serious concerns’ about a third runway at Heathrow.
Heathrow announced on Friday (August 1) it had submitted proposals to the Government for a third runway, called the North-Western Runway, which would be up to 3,500m long.
The airport’s bosses estimate this will increase its capacity to serve up to 756,000 flights and 150million passengers a year.
A rival proposal for a shorter 2,800m runway has also been submitted by the Arora Group, owned by hotel tycoon Surinder Arora.
The submissions come after the Labour Government said it was backing Heathrow’s expansion in January.
The prospect of a third runway has long been a point of contention in the borough, with the previous Conservative administration setting aside £150,000 for a legal challenge against the proposals.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, RBWM Liberal Democrat councillor Karen Davies said that nationally and locally her party has always been opposed to the expansion.
The climate change cabinet member said: “This administration wants Heathrow to be better not bigger. Regardless of expansion we want a better deal for our residents.
“We want a good night’s sleep for residents, greening of the routes to Heathrow with improved more sustainable transport links, and greening of air travel with quieter and less polluting aircraft being prioritised for routes into Heathrow.”
RBWM put forward a motion in early July to write to the Government to address ‘major challenges’ coming from Heathrow airport and its impact on the health of the Royal Borough.
It raised concerns the negative impact on the environment, noise pollution and the need to achieve maximum economic benefit for Royal Borough residents.
A spokesperson for the Royal Borough added: “The council has expressed serious concerns about Heathrow’s proposed expansion and recently passed a motion to contact central Government about the impact on residents’ health, wellbeing, and wider environmental effects.
“A full environmental impact assessment will be needed to ensure protective measures are in place.
“The Royal Borough is committed to working with other local authorities to review proposals and advocate for residents to minimise harm and disruption.”
Heathrow has previously reassured residents that noise pollution is an important topic for the transport hub.
Last month, a spokesperson for the airport said: “Heathrow has been full for many years and there has been no increase in flight numbers, while our noise footprint has reduced by 41 per cent since 2006.
“We are committed to doing more and our noise action plan sets out how we will improve further in the years to come.”
The spokesperson added said: “We have always been clear, expanding Heathrow will only go ahead in line with strict environmental targets.”
Neighbouring Slough Borough Council wants to make sure residents will benefit from the expansion plans for a third runway at Heathrow.
A spokesperson for the council said: “We are keen to continue working with Heathrow, including on their expansion plan, to ensure Slough residents and businesses benefit from the existing and future opportunities.”
Over 90,000 new jobs could be created as part of the development plans