Today marks a historic step-change in Teddington’s fight against increased noise and expansion plans by Heathrow Airport Limited.
We’ve launched legal action against the Airports Commission, challenging the ways in which it has consulted with the public over air quality issues. We’ve also challenged the impartiality of Sir Howard Davies, the head of the Commission, who is set to take up the top job at the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) later this summer. RBS is one of Heathrow’s bankers, thus raising concerns over Davies’ impartiality.
We believe that the Commission was manifestly unfair and unlawful to expect those potentially affected by airport expansion to decipher and respond to over 200 pages of highly technical documentation within the three weeks allotted. The lack of proper engagement by the Commission in relation to the latest air quality consultation is unacceptable and local people should be consulted in a meaningful way on an issue that impacts their health and well-being.
You can read more on this story and reaction in the news from these sources:
- CityAM: More delays: Airports Commission to face courtroom stand-off with angry Teddington residents over pollution review
- BBC: Airport expansion plan faces court room battle
- BBC: Heathrow Airport expansion legal action threatened
- Evening Standard: Call for airports chief to quit over his links to RBS
On the same day, an ASBO has been issued against Heathrow Airport Limited by Communities Against Increased Aircraft Noise (CAIAN), for the airport’s continual breaches of common decency. Neighbours of Heathrow Airport have come united to fight the UK’s largest noise polluter, and seek restrictions on night flights, air pollution and expansion plans.
Specifically the mock ASBO accuses Heathrow of “running an airport with general disregard for neighbours and the environment, that allows excessive noise for 17+ hours a day, and which contributes to high local air pollution”. CAIAN has a range of demands, including a moratorium on new runways until noise and pollution from the existing two are properly addressed. They will keep up the pressure, to get proper accountability in the aviation sector. There is widespread fury and outrage that PBN (concentrated) routes are being determined primarily by airline profitability rather than consideration for communities being overflown, who are suffering the consequences.
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