DfT hold 20 consultation events in areas near Heathrow, plus 13 around the UK promoting Heathrow 3rd runway
The DfT is holding a large number of consultation events in the coming two months, both in areas affected by Heathrow, and after that, across the UK. The first event locally was on 13th February and the final one is 20th April in London. The DfT backs the runway, and so the information given out is very much in support of the runway. The DfT has sent out 1.5 million leaflets about the consultations, with simplified text backing the runway (and ignoring any negative impacts) – which look like Heathrow’s own PR about their expansion plans. The events locally are from 11am to 8pm on weekdays (10 – 5pm on Saturdays). People have to register to attend events outside London. Due to the very short notice between the announcement of the NPS consultation (2nd February) and the first event on 13th February, it is difficult for local campaigners against the runway to attend all of them. The DfT has paid staff to man them all. People are encouraged to attend the events, and ask the DfT staff questions. Some suggested questions are shown below. People are also advised not to make their responses in the consultation events, but do them in a considered manner, from home, when they have had time to assess all the information, both for and against the 3rd runway.
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The main DfT consultation on the draft Airports National Policy Statement (for a 3rd Heathrow runway) is at
and the supporting documents etc are at
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/heathrow-airport-expansion
The deadline for responses is 25th May 2017 – so there is no need to fill in a response very soon. Better to wait, get your thoughts in order, and respond when you have all the information you need.
The questions in the consultation are shown below
Some questions people might like to ask the DfT staff at consultation events
Below are some suggestions, from the four boroughs that are most opposed to the runway, and that will make a legal challenge against the government once the NPS is published.
Some questions to ask:
- Will there be new flight paths over my house?
- What noise levels will I experience with an expanded Heathrow?
- What air pollution will I experience with an expanded Heathrow?
- What road congestion will I experience with an expanded Heathrow?
- How will it impact local transport and roads?
- How else will my neighbourhood be impacted?
You might also like to ask:
- How will there be less noise with the 3rd runway than without it?
- Why are there no details of flight paths in the consultation?
- How much will respite for those under the current approach paths from the east be reduced?
- How many new areas, and how many new people, will be overflown for the first time – at altitudes below 5,000 feet?. How will Heathrow ensure there are no more Heathrow-associated vehicles on surrounding roads?
- How will Heathrow ensure 55% of its passengers travel to or from the airport on public transport?
- How much carbon will flights using Heathrow emit per year once the 3rd runway is fully used?
- How is the NOx from aircraft using Heathrow measured, and taken account of in assessing air pollution?
- What does your ban on night flights mean in practice? Late running flights? Shoulder periods?
- How will Heathrow increase its tonnage of air freight by 50% or more without increasing vehicle movements?
Public consultations on Heathrow’s 3rd runway proposals – in Heathrow area and across the UK
Consultation events in the areas immediately affected by Heathrow
Weekday events are open from 11.00am to 8.00pm.
Saturday events are open 10.00am to 5.00pm.
There are 13 events outside the Heathrow area
The DfT says: “We are also running regional consultation information events for invited stakeholders. If you think you should have been invited, please contact us on 0800 689 4968”.
- Monday 20 March 2017, Manchester
- Wednesday 22 March 2017, Birmingham
- Friday 24 March 2017, Leeds
- Monday 27 March 2017, Newcastle
- Wednesday 29 March 2017, Edinburgh
- Friday 31 March 2017, Glasgow
- Monday 3 April 2017, Belfast
- Wednesday 5 April 2017, Liverpool
- Friday 7 April 2017, Cardiff
- Monday 10 April 2017, Newquay
- Wednesday 12 April 2017, Reading
- Tuesday 18 April 2017, Brighton
- Thursday 20 April 2017, London
Registering for the events outside the Heathrow area
You can register to attend these outside London events, but they may be by ticket only. People can just turn up to the earlier events in areas affected by Heathrow.
To register go to http://www.aviationconsultations.com/ and sign in.
If the system will not allow you to attend one of these events, you can inform the Independent Consultation Advisor, Sir Jeremy Sullivan here https://www.gov.uk/government/people/jeremy-sullivan
The email address is independentadviser@runwayconsultation.gsi.gov.uk
The DfT leaflet
The DfT leaflet that has been sent out to 1.5 million households, especially those in areas where there is a consultation event.
Critique of 11 claims by DfT, in its 1.5 million pro-Heathrow runway leaflets, for NPS consultation
See larger version of the leaflet here
The DfT has sent out 1.5 million leaflets to households in areas not too far from Heathrow. The leaflets make no attempt whatsoever of balance, and are merely advertising the runway plans and promoting them. Many of the claims are misleading, or so abbreviated as to be unclear. Below there is a critique of the claims, point by point, and links to evidence backing up the criticisms. If anyone has received a leaflet, and wonders about the facts, this webpage may give some useful information. Just a few examples of the dubious statements in the leaflet: the figure of £61 billion economic benefit is given, leaving out the proviso that this is over 60 years. There is much made of the generosity of the compensation to be given for compulsory purchase, but in reality anything much below 125% would be derisory, and way below world standards. The claim about six and a half hours of no scheduled night flights omits to mention how many flights, scheduled before 11pm, often take off almost to midnight. And though there may be 6 more domestic links from Heathrow, these are likely to be unprofitable and may not last for long. The loss of long haul routes from other UK airports, due to a larger Heathrow, is conveniently ignored.
See full critique here:
See larger version of the leaflet here
The questions in the consultation:
Draft NPS consultation
https://runwayconsultation.dialoguebydesign.com/s1css/main.asp?d=1
Question 1:
The need for additional airport capacity
The Government believes there is the need for additional airport capacity in the South East of England by 2030. Please tell us your views.
Chapter 3 of the consultation document (opens in a new tab/window)
Question 2:
Heathrow Northwest Runway scheme
Please give us your views on how best to address the issue of airport capacity in the South East of England by 2030. This could be through the Heathrow Northwest Runway scheme (the Government’s preferred scheme), the Gatwick Second Runway scheme, the Heathrow Extended Northern Runway scheme, or any other scheme.
Chapter 4 of the consultation document (opens in a new tab/window)
Question 3:
Assessment principles
The Secretary of State will use a range of assessment principles when considering any application for a Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport. Please tell us your views.
Chapter 5 of the consultation document (opens in a new tab/window)
Question 4:
Impacts and requirements
The Government has set out its approach to surface access for a Heathrow Northwest runway scheme. Please tell us your views.
Chapter 6 of the consultation document (opens in a new tab/window)
Question 5:
The draft Airports National Policy Statement sets out a package of supporting measures to mitigate negative impacts of a Heathrow Northwest Runway scheme. Please tell us your views. Are there any other supporting measures that should be set out? In particular, please tell us your views on:
Chapter 6 of the consultation document (opens in a new tab/window)
5.1. Air quality supporting measures
5.2. Noise supporting measures
5.3. Carbon emissions supporting measures
5.4. Compensation for local communities
Question 6:
The Government has set out a number of planning requirements that a Heathrow Northwest Runway scheme must meet in order to operate. Please tell us your views. Are there any other requirements the Government should set out?
Chapter 6 of the consultation document (opens in a new tab/window)
Question 7:
Appraisal of Sustainability
The Appraisal of Sustainability sets out the Government’s assessment of the Heathrow Northwest Runway scheme, and considers alternatives. Please tell us your views.
Chapter 8 of the consultation document (opens in a new tab/window)
Question 8:
General questions
Do you have any additional comments on the draft Airports National Policy Statement or other supporting documents?
Consultation document (opens in a new tab/window)
Question 9:
The Government has a public sector equality duty to ensure protected groups have the opportunity to respond to consultations. Please tell us your views on how this consultation has achieved this.
Consultation document (opens in a new tab/window)
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