New map reveals – Slough and Windsor will be at the heart of pollution caused by Heathrow expansion

Slough Borough Council has been told it must protect its residents after it was revealed the town would be right in the epicentre of increased noise and air pollution, if a 3rd Heathrow runway is built.  The CAA map shows that Slough and Windsor will be at the heart of increased pollution, and community groups are very upset. The Colnbrook Community Association (CCA) said it was time for Slough Borough Council to ‘wake up and protect our residents’ following the publication. Slough Borough Council does not criticise Heathrow, as it hopes to get some benefits from the expansion, if it never complains. The Council says:  “We have been vigorously defending the local community not least in our cabinet discussions about road diversions through Colnbrook and securing a green envelope around Colnbrook.”  The quality of life for many residents will be diminished by the 3rd runway, regardless of some businesses making more money. CCA said: “The trouble is that gullible Local Authorities, Councillors, MP’s and media peeps swallow this misinformation and accept it as truth. Residents know it’s fake news; Heathrow’s PR knows it’s fake news (they make it up); media knows its fake news – but it doesn’t make headlines.”

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New map reveals – Slough and Windsor will be at the heart of pollution caused by Heathrow expansion

By Ryan GrayJunior Reporter
6th October

Heathrow expansion – Slough and Windsor could bear the brunt

Slough Borough Council has been told it must protect its residents after it was revealed the town would be right in the epicentre of increased noise and air pollution, following the Heathrow expansion.
A map, published earlier this month by the Civil Aviation Authority, shows that Slough and Windsor will be at the heart of increased pollution after the third runway’s completion, leading to criticism from community groups.

The Colnbrook Community Association said it was time for Slough Borough Council to ‘wake up and protect our residents’ following the publication.

Slough Borough Council responded to the criticism, saying they have been ‘vigorously defending’ the interests of their residents.

Leader of the coucil, James Swindlehurst, said: “Airspace consultation is independent of expansion at Heathrow and modernisation of airspace around the airport is already underway with Heathrow experimenting with new procedures for aircraft landing to try and reduce noise for those living under or nearby the flightpath.

“The principle of the ratio of planes flying over urban or rural areas is extremely important and Slough Borough Council will be responding to this consultation.

“We have been vigorously defending the local community not least in our cabinet discussions about road diversions through Colnbrook and securing a green envelope around Colnbrook.

“I continue to hold regular meetings with senior Heathrow officials where I will continue to put the concerns residents have raised me at the front of my discussions.”

Slough recently hosted a Heathrow summit in the town, where business owners and Heathrow executives spoke of the potential benefits the airport could bring to the town, but the Colnbrook Community Association criticised the council on Twitter and said their support for the third runway “will increase noise pollution throughout Slough. You must reconsider your support”.

They also accused the council of ‘swallowing fake news’ from Heathrow’s public relations team, saying: “The trouble is that gullible Local Authorities, Councillors, MP’s and media peps swallow this misinformation and accept it as truth. Residents know it’s fake news; Heathrow’s PR knows it’s fake news (they make it up); media knows its fake news – but it doesn’t make headlines.”

https://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/news/17008160.new-map-reveals-slough-and-windsor-will-be-at-the-heart-of-pollution-caused-by-heathrow-extension/?ref=twtrec

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See earlier:

Slough council critical of damage to borough from Heathrow revised plans for runway

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.   

https://www.airportwatch.org.uk/2018/03/slough-council-critical-of-damage-to-borough-from-heathrow-revised-plans-for-runway/

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See earlier

Slough invites comment on its air pollution strategy – but gagging agreement prevents much mention of Heathrow …

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!

https://www.airportwatch.org.uk/2017/11/slough-invites-comment-on-its-air-pollution-strategy-but-gagging-order-prevents-much-mention-of-heathrow/

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Slough Council secret deal with Heathrow includes gagging order, making it impotent in fighting for a better deal from Heathrow for 3 – 4 years

Residents of Colnbrook, close to Heathrow and due to be badly affected by a 3rd runway, submitted a FoI request to get the details for the secret, but legally binding, deal done between Slough Borough Council and Heathrow airport. The details of the deal are worrying. As well as finding out that Colnbrook, and help for the residents, do not feature in the deal, it has emerged that  Slough Council has accepted what amounts to a self-imposed gagging order, unable to criticise Heathrow for the next 3 to 4 years,until Heathrow is granted a Development Consent Order (DCO).  As well as a boost for investment in the town and improved access from central Slough to the airport, the secret agreement sees Heathrow commit to supporting the Council’s representations to Government to seek compensation for lost business rates, put by the council itself at up to £10 million earlier this year.  In return, however, Cabinet is legally bound to giving public support for the airport until final permission, is granted.  A Development Consent Order is at least three years away, possibly four.  Residents expected that their council would have argued for “world class” compensation and mitigation.  
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This states:  
“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.”

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