Hounslow Council “positive and productive” and “better working relationship” with Heathrow

Labour led Hounslow council responded to the Airports Commission’s final report recommending a 3rd Heathrow runway, by saying that while the council is opposed to a bigger Heathrow, they want “a better and successful Heathrow.” They continue say they are against a 3rd runway, or any relaxation on runway alternation, or more than 480,000 flights per year. However, the extent of the council’s opposition is much reduced. It says it wants the “very best noise protection and pollution control measures for our residents – and in particular, our schools.” But it adds: …”we welcome the report’s recommendation that the new runway should come with severe restrictions to reduce the environmental and noise effects, including a noise levy, and that night flights would be banned. … we …. have recently developed a positive and productive relationship with Heathrow, which has resulted in many improvements for local people…” In June the council denied rumours it has withdrawn from the 2M group, which opposes a Heathrow third runway. Hounslow is noticeably on better terms with Heathrow, hoping to get benefits if a runway is permitted.  Hounslow teamed up with Hillingdon Council to oppose a planning application which would enable more departures over Cranford. 
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Response to Heathrow third runway

1 July 2015

Commenting on today’s publication of the Airports Commission’s report on expanding aviation capacity, the Leader of Hounslow Council, Cllr Steve Curran said:

“While we have been opposed to a bigger Heathrow, either by the addition of a third runway or a relaxation on runway operations and night flights, we nevertheless want a better and successful Heathrow. But we will continue to push for the very best noise protection and pollution control measures for our residents – and in particular, our schools.

“This recommendation by the Airports Commission will obviously have a huge impact on Hounslow. We will analyse the report in detail and, in due course, consider it thoroughly at a special meeting of councillors. We will also be seeking the views of our local MPs. We will then be able to give a full response.

“What we can say now, however, is that we welcome the report’s recommendation that the new runway should come with severe restrictions to reduce the environmental and noise effects, including a noise levy, and that night flights would be banned.

“We also want to say that we have recently developed a positive and productive relationship with Heathrow, which has resulted in many improvements for local people – both in terms of noise protection and employment opportunities. We hope this will continue.”

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Hounslow Council has ‘better working relationship’ with Heathrow

6.6.2015  (Get West London)

By  Robert Cumber

But council leader denies rumours it has withdrawn from the 2M group, which opposes a third runway at the airport

Hounslow Council has a “better working relationship” with Heathrow but remains firmly opposed to expansion at the airport, its leader has insisted.

The two have been on noticeably friendlier terms recently, compared with their somewhat stormy former dealings.

In March, they even issued a joint press release from the property conference MIPIM in Cannes, where the council was promoting itself to potential investors as a gateway to London due to its proximity to Heathrow.

Teaming up like this would have been almost unthinkable just a few years ago, when the council took a much more oppositional stance to Heathrow.

It helped fuel rumours the council had withdrawn from the 2M group, a somewhat nebulous alliance of local authorities opposed to a third runway at Heathrow.

But Hounslow Council leader Steve Curran has insisted it remains part of the 2M coalition and its “better not bigger” Heathrow mantra still stands.

“Our position hasn’t changed. We’ve always taken a pragmatic view. We have to recognise Heathrow’s a big employer and brings many benefits as well as disadvantages,” he toldgetwestlondon.

“I think Heathrow has changed and that’s allowed us to ensure we work [with them] in a pragmatic way. We wanted them to finish off the work they were doing insulating schools, which they have done.”

Councillor Steve Curran, Hounslow Council's cabinet member for regeneration, addresses a business conference at Hounslow Civic Centre on Monday, February 10
Hounslow Council leader Steve Curran

 

“There’s a better working relationship with the new chief executive (John Holland-Kaye) and we can still work together even if we disagree,” he added.

“We need to make sure we do the best for our residents. We want to reduce the noise pollution and ensure our children are educated in classrooms that are fit for purpose.

“Some councils take a different view and are less pragmatic. That’s up to them.”

Mr Curran’s last remark may have been a reference to neighbouring Hillingdon, where council leader Ray Puddifoot has backed London mayor Boris Johnson‘s proposal to close Heathrow and build up to 45,000 new homes there.

Hounslow Council wants Heathrow to remain open, albeit with just two runways.

But it has teamed up with Hillingdon Council to oppose a planning application which would enable more departures over Cranford – something which is currently the subject of a public inquiry after councillors in Hillingdon last year rejected Heathrow’s application to build new taxiways.

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/hounslow-council-better-working-relationship-9399913


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Hounslow Borough Council’s website says: 

Heathrow – better, not bigger

A fair deal for Hounslow

We’re lobbying the government as they put together new legislation about UK aviation. We want to make sure everyone has their say in the future of Heathrow Airport – we want it better, not bigger.

We want:

  • To keep the government’s annual cap of flights at Heathrow to 480,000
  • To keep runway alternation which gives residents under the flight path some relief during the day
  • No return to plans for a third runway
  • A complete ban on night flights
  • To improve and expand schemes to reduce Heathrow noise for residents, businesses and communities

We recognise the important role Heathrow plays in Hounslow’s economy. More than 11,000 Hounslow residents (around 10 per cent of our working population) are employed at the airport.

Yet it also causes serious congestion on our road and rail networks, and produces massive environmental and health impacts with noise and air pollution.

Thousands of our residents, schools and businesses are severely affected by airplanes, with flights overhead every 90 seconds, including 16 night flights before 6am. These night flights have been proven to have a serious affect on the health and wellbeing of local people.

Despite these impacts, the aviation industry pushes to expand Heathrow beyond its current, barely sustainable size.

We want the government to stick to its policy of limiting the size of Heathrow as well as taking further actions to lessen the negative effects on our local economy and community.

We know this is something that really matters to our residents and businesses. Find out more about our plans on these pages.

http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/index/transport_and_streets/public_transport/heathrow.htm

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