Campaigners ‘ready to fight’ Heathrow expansion in 2023
Anti-expansion campaigners have declared that they will be ‘ready to fight’ plans for a third runway once again next year.
This comes after Heathrow’s CEO, John Holland-Kaye, said that the airport would provide an update and timeline for its plans for a third runway in ‘early 2023’.
A statement from Justine Bayley, Chairman of Stop Heathrow Expansion, said said: ‘‘This is not the news that we wanted to hear, unless of course Heathrow are planning to announce that it is no longer pursuing the proposal! But that would not be in tune with the airport’s wealthy foreign shareholders and their desire to rake in as much cash as possible at the expense of our communities.
‘‘Local people who live immediately around the airport deserve to have the blight that Heathrow brings lifted. They have lived with the threat of the third runway hanging over them for far too long, impacting their life choices and overall health and quality of life. Residents have had enough of living in limbo.’’
Bayley also said that the campaigners ‘remain extremely optimistic that Heathrow expansion will never happen’.
She noted how at the group’s recent AGM, Hillingdon Council confirmed that they would continue to oppose all forms of expansion at Heathrow.
She continued: ‘‘Even if Heathrow’s forthcoming announcement is not good news for us, there are still many hurdles left for them to face before any construction could begin. Stricter climate change and environmental laws have been in force since the last proposal was put forward; they will be a major stumbling block for yet another doomed attempt at securing a third runway. Hillingdon remains the second most polluted London borough, largely due to emissions from around Heathrow. Heathrow will have to fight a more difficult battle than ever before in their attempt to secure planning permission. We remain ready to see this threat off for good.’’
Article available at: https://chiswickherald.co.uk/campaigners-ready-to-fight-heathrow-expansion-in-p17131-95.htm