Council plan consultation on Heathrow expansion (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Wandsworth Council plan consultation on Heathrow expansion

11:20am Wednesday 26th September 2012 in News By Alexandra Rucki

The council is to launch a consultation on the possible expansion of Heathrow, including public meetings with politicians and aviation experts.

It comes after Richmond and Hillingdon councils announced they will be holding a referendum allowing residents to vote on the issue.

Earlier this month Putney MP Justine Greening, a vocal opponent of further expansion at the airport, was shifted from her job as Transport Secretary sparking concerns that the issue of a third runway is very much back on the political agenda.

Wandsworth Council has not ruled out a referendum, with the council planning to discuss the possibility in future meetings.

A spokesperson said: "We're planning an in-depth consultation and engagement programme over the coming months including high profile events where local people can have their say alongside aviation experts and politicians.

"We will not allow BAA and its army of lobbyists to set the agenda on aviation policy.

"Together with our campaign partners we will create a new platform for the airport capacity debate under the full light of public scrutiny.

"This will expose the human cost of Heathrow expansion and unpick the airport owner's case which is inevitably based on commercial self interest."

The move comes at a time when the current flight-path trial is sparking a lot of anger from residents about noise levels.

The council said it has been inundated by complaints since the trial begin in July, but it is in the hands of the Civil Aviation Authority to monitor the noise.

It is currently campaigning for a new aviation regulator, which would include new roles for consumer and environmental protection.

In a letter to the Wandsworth Guardian this week John Hennings, who lives in Battersea, said he is woken up as early as 4.35am by noisy aircraft.

He said: "Family and friends living abroad are amazed they can clearly hear the aircraft  through my computer microphone when I'm skyping them from my kitchen in Battersea with the patio doors open to my garden.

"This relentless and intensely intrusive noise pollution is worse than anything I've experienced before in London."

The trial is set to continue until March next year.

Visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/heathrowsurvey to register your feedback or contact BAA direct using freephone number 0800 344 844 or by emailing noise_complaints@baa.com