We are united in opposition to the expansion of the third runway!
A packed community meeting in St Mary's Church in Harmondsworth today made it clear what they feel about Rachel Reeves decision to support a 3rd Runway at Heathrow. The message is No Third Runway! - Sat 15th Feb 2025
There was standing room only in St Mary's Church, Harmondsworth today, where John McDonnell MP hosted a meeting with:-
Cllr. Ian Edwards Leader of Hillingdon Council
Cllr. Steve Tuckwell of Hillingdon Council
Paul McGuinness Chair of No 3rd Runway Coalition
Justine Bayley Chair of Stop Heathrow Expansion
Christian Hughes Chair of Longford Residents Association
to update residents about the Chancellor's announcement on Heathrow's 3rd Runway proposal.
John McDonnell MP will be setting up a BLIGHT ACTION GROUP
John started by emphasising he represents everyone - from those who have had enough of Heathrow's blight and want to move on but need to get a better deal, to those who want to remain in the beautiful villages. He is working to ensure that we respect all our different views on this, but we hold together and help each other out, whatever our decisions are for the future.
All we know so far, is that the Chancellor, when she announced infrastructure projects for the country, announced that she supported a third runway at Heathrow, and that she's invited Heathrow to submit its proposals by the summer.
John said : I’ve asked in Parliament ... for the papers upon which the Chancellor based her decision, to be published. No papers have been published ... because they are owned by Heathrow! Rachel Reeves’ report was commissioned by Heathrow, and is based upon information provided by Heathrow. As Paul said: what an extraordinary thing that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whose department is the Treasury, which has its own analysis on the benefits and dis-benefits of this project, should cast that aside and pick up the sales-puff from HAL (Heathrow Airport Limited).
What we expect to happen next.
Cllr. Ian Edwards Leader of Hillingdon Council said "We are united in opposition to the expansion of the third runway.
Christian Hughes from Longford Residents Association said Ultra Fine Particulates are the next big thing.
Paul McGuinness Chair of the No 3rd Runway Coalition spoke about Heathrow's application for a 3rd runway, and said even if we presume a fast track process, the soonest this can realistically arrive on the Secretary Of States desk for a decision, is November 2029.
Justine Bayley Chair of Stop Heathrow Expansion Thanked all those who came to today's packed out meeting in St Mary's Harmondsworth to resist the government plans for a 3rd runway.