Slough council critical of damage to borough from Heathrow revised plans for runway
Date added: 21 March, 2018
Slough Borough Council, which is supportive of a 3rd runway, even though the borough is very close to Heathrow, have now criticised plans in the airport’s initial consultation. They say a local school, homes and businesses will have to be demolished under revised plans for the expansion. Slough Borough Council said Pippins School in Colnbrook would be closer to the runway than previously thought. They also fear changes to the M25 would also affect a local trading estate, and lead to increased congestion and pollution. Slough fear that raising the runway above ground level as it crosses the M25 could have “serious impacts” on Pippins School and nearby homes because of “worsening noise and air pollution”. The school and nearby houses would be likely to be part of a compulsory purchase order, so Slough needs Heathrow to pay to rebuild the school at another, more suitable, location. The leader of Slough council, James Swindlehurst, said they were objecting to the wider proposals in the hope of “shaping the ideas” Heathrow were producing. Diverting the M25 by 150 metres to the west, he claimed, could involve the loss of homes at Elbow Meadow and buildings on the Galleymead Trading Estate in Colnbrook. In the past, Slough signed a gagging order with Heathrow, preventing it complaining about the runway plans, in order for anticipated benefits from the airport once a runway was built.
Heathrow third runway: Slough council criticises revised plans
20 March 2018 (BBC)
A school, homes and businesses will have to be demolished under revised plans for a new runway at Heathrow, a council has revealed.
Slough Borough Council said Pippins School in Colnbrook would be closer to the runway than previously thought.
It claims changes to the M25 will also affect a local trading estate, and lead to increased congestion and pollution.
Heathrow told the BBC it will continue to “explore options” to mitigate the impact on affected facilities.
A spokesperson said the airport is almost at the end of a 10-week consultation period but “there are currently no plans to compulsory purchase Pippins School”.
They added: “We will continue to work with all community facilities close to the new boundary – including schools – to explore options for mitigating the impacts of Heathrow expansion. This will include options including a world class noise insulation package and commitments around air quality.”
Slough Borough Council, which is supportive of development and a new runway, have criticised plans in the airport’s initial consultation.
It claims that raising the runway above ground level as it crosses the M25 could have “serious impacts” on Pippins School and nearby homes because of “worsening noise and air pollution”.
The authority added in a statement that, having inspected the plans, the school and nearby houses would be likely to be part of a compulsory purchase order.
Dialogue with Heathrow was therefore needed, it claimed, to rebuild the school at another, more suitable, location.
The leader of Slough council, James Swindlehurst, said they were objecting to the wider proposals in the hope of “shaping the ideas” Heathrow were producing.
Diverting the M25 by 150 metres to the west, he claimed, could involve the loss of homes at Elbow Meadow and buildings on the Galleymead Trading Estate in Colnbrook.
He told BBC Berkshire: “At the moment, the road hugs the M25, and the M25 hugs the airport, and we want to keep it like that”.
A Public Safety Zone, which protects people against an aircraft accident on take-off or landing, would also extend over, and “seriously blight”, houses in nearby Brands Hill, the council said.
Pippins School said it would not comment until they have discussed the proposals with Heathrow.
Slough invites comment on its air pollution strategy – but gagging agreement prevents much mention of Heathrow …
November 27, 2017
Slough residents are being asked for their views on the draft Slough Low Emission Strategy (LES). Slough has high levels of air pollution that affect the health of residents. While several factors contribute to the borough’s air quality, the emissions from road transport vehicles are the most significant source – and much of this traffic is Heathrow-related. The strategy says it “recognises the challenges and opportunities that may arise from the construction of a 3rd runway at Heathrow.” The Slough council draft LES supports its new transport strategy and forms part of the Slough Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP). It lays out an integrated, year on year plan to improve air quality up to 2025, “reducing vehicle emissions by accelerating the uptake of cleaner fuels and technologies.” The Slough Cabinet member for environment and leisure, said: “The health and wellbeing of our residents and the people who visit and work in Slough is paramount ….” The strategy says it will “Link and compliment with a potential Ultra-Low Emission Zone at Heathrow.” Slough signed an agreement with Heathrow in mid 2015, to get benefits from a runway, provided they always back the runway. “1.5 Slough Council’s Cabinet commits to publicly support the expansion of Heathrow Airport with immediate effect and until Heathrow is granted the DCO. ” The council does not dare to complain!
