| Topic: | Re:Consultation on expansion at Heathrow closed on December 19 | |
| Posted by: | Martin Case | |
| Date/Time: | 23/12/17 17:06:00 |
| Guy, I’m merely pointing out that your wish list has much in common with the government’s own view particularly in respect of jobs. LHR gaining living wage accreditation was long overdue, and I suspect that pressure from The Living Wage Foundation had much to do with this, and whilst welcome will still not provide those employees with the ability to purchase affordable homes within Hounslow. Whilst your suggestion to Heathrow representatives asking for reduced parking at the Area Forum is admirable it seems somewhat incongruous with the airport’s current plans to double air freight and invest £800 million in car parking? Aircraft noise generated by Heathrow affects more people today than its five main European competitors combined. Expansion will bring a 50% increase in flights, with more than 300,000 residents overflown for the first time many of whom will be residents of Hounslow. The Government admits respite would reduce and the NPS says Heathrow should provide a 6½ hour night flight ban, but the WHO recommends 8 hours to avoid health risks from night noise. If the government does fail it will be through the efforts of Client Earth and other pressure groups and Ruth but more likely through the government’s own inadequacies in producing a legally compliant air quality plan as already identified in the Airports National Policy Statement. These are the real issues which are worrying to residents of Hounslow and it would be useful to know whether LBH Council shares these concerns and if so have made those concerns known? We all want Heathrow to be a better neighbour and do please continue to use all you have in your armoury to persuade them to be so. As an aside I think you’ll find it was Philip Hammond who first coined the expression ‘better not bigger’. |