Runway opponents stage a brief take-over of Maidenhead DfT Heathrow event, filling in info gaps
The Maidenhead DfT information display – pushing the Heathrow 3rd runway – was taken over for its last 20 minutes by an invasion of anti- runway protesters. The DfT events are intended to give information to members of the public who want to know more about the runway plan. Unfortunately the displays are very focused on the alleged benefits of the runway, with very little information on its negative impacts. Generally the DfT staff who man the events are unable to answer questions about negative effects of the runway, in any detail. Campaigners from SHE (Stop Heathrow Expansion) with representatives from around 8 other groups, held a brief session to show up some of the gaps in information that the DfT is giving the public at these (20) sessions. Neil Keveren (SHE) pointed out some of the omitted information (like how little change to night flights is actually proposed, the effect of those whose homes will be compulsorily purchased, the health impacts of air pollution and the cost to the taxpayer of improvements to surface infrastructure). There is no info on any of those in the DfT panels. Others then chipped in with other information that the DfT should be including. The session ended with rousing chants of “No New Runways” and “Theresa May, What would your father say, NO 3rd runway” – and Neil singing, accompanied by his guitar, the song “This is our home, and we will stay. No 3rd runway”. Lyrics below.
.
Tweet
Third runway protesters chant and sing at Heathrow expansion consultation
By Grace Witherden
8.3.2017
Third runway protesters took the chance to have their say on Heathrow’s expansion proposals with a staged demonstration on Tuesday night.
More than 20 protesters, made up of Royal Borough residents and anti-Heathrow expansion campaign groups gathered at the Heathrow consultation held at SportsAble.
Their demonstration included banners, masks and a Theresa May cardboard cut-out.
Taking the stand, Neil Keveren from Stop Heathrow Expansion spoke passionately about why there should be no third runway at Heathrow Airport as residents took it in turns to speak about concerns including climate change, the economy and the impact on the community.
Mr Keveren chanted: “Theresa May, what would your father say? No ifs, no buts, no third runway.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw8vT4ey_FM
During the day, more than 200 residents attended the consultation in Braywick Park, held by the Department for Transport, and got the chance to speak to officials about expanding airport capacity, the Airports National Policy Statement and other issues.
Earlier, on Friday, residents gathered at a consultation held in the Windsor Youth and Community Centre in Alma Road.
Alexandra Road resident Roger Bowden, 70, a technology worker, thought he had not been given enough information about pollution and noise. He said: “I was absolutely enraged, in a way.”
A 72-year-old ex-paratrooper, Ken Collins, who lives in St Marks Road, Windsor, said: “We could have aircraft coming over, making one hell of a din.”
He worried about the financial implications if the noise forced him to make adjustments to his house that would block out sounds from the planes.
“I am a pensioner,” he said. “I don’t have the salary.”
Visit runwayconsultation.dialoguebydesign.com to view documents and respond to the consultation which closes on Thursday, May 25.
The Chamber of Commerce president and campaign group Back Heathrow also attended the Maidenhead consultation to have their say on the proposals.
Olu Odeniyi, President of Maidenhead & District Chamber of Commerce, said: “A new runway at Heathrow will significantly lift economic prospects for Maidenhead, the region and the country.
“It is right the government is consulting on this major infrastructure project. The Chamber will do all it can to ensure local businesses of all sizes are aware of the opportunities.”
Back Heathrow campaign manager Paul Cowling, who joined the delegation, said: “It’s fantastic that the government backs a new Heathrow runway but now it’s time for local people to have their say.
“These events are a great way for residents to find out more, express their support, ask questions or raise any concerns they may have.” [The problem with this is that the DfT exhibitions do not give residents the information they need on negative impacts of the runway – only positive impacts. It is highly questionable whether a local resident could get enough information about possible future impacts on them, to make a rational decision to support or oppose the runway. AW comment]
.
.
The lyrics of “This is our home, and we will stay. No 3rd runway”
Sing with me,
Save this community.
Stand up to the powers that be,
No one’s going to trample our dreams,
This is our home – and we will stay, No 3rd runway.
Documents of consultation,
Nothing more than fabrication,
Promises of no pollution
Another lie is no solution
“You won’t see the big Terminal
No more runway space at all”
Proved to be another lie
Tell the truth and pigs might fly
This is our home and we will stay, No 3rd runway.
This is our home and we will stay, No 3rd runway.
90 seconds plane
90 more and one come again
90 more and again and again
All day long it will never end
This is our home and we will stay, No 3rd runway.
This is our home and we will stay, No 3rd runway.
So obsessed with future wealth
Profit over peoples’ health
Roaring engines rob our sleep
Make our gardens obsolete
Breaking into virgin sky
Destroying quality of life
Come on and hear this wake up call
See how it affects us all
This is our home and we will stay, No 3rd runway.
This is our home and we will stay, No 3rd runway.
90 seconds plane
90 more and one come again
90 more and again and again
All day long – it will never end
This is our home and we will stay, No 3rd runway.
Stand with me
Save this community
Stand up to the powers that be
No one’s going to trample our dreams
This is our home and we will stay, No 3rd runway.
This is our home and we will stay, No 3rd runway.
Neil’s version of “This is our home, and we will stay – No 3rd runway” as performed yesterday at the DfT Maidenhead event. (short chant at the start) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw8vT4ey_FM
And an earlier performance, in more ideal conditions – beautifully sung https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIaXTK_1T0M
.
.