Leader of Richmond Council: Government aviation strategy ignores Heathrow health impacts

The Leader of Richmond Council, commenting on the DfT’s consultation on the draft aviation strategy (closed 13th October), says it tries to shut down any discussion on expansion at Heathrow and puts the demand for additional flights ahead of the health impact on communities affected by increased noise and worsening air quality. Leader Paul Hodgins, speaking on behalf of Wandsworth, Richmond, Hillingdon and Windsor and Maidenhead councils, said: “It is difficult to see what purpose the draft aviation strategy serves when, in it, the government is ignoring the problem of Heathrow. First we had a pro-Heathrow airport draft national policy statement with no details on flightpaths, out of date passenger demand figures, an economic case which doesn’t stand up and unattainable pollution limits. Now we have a national strategy that leaves out Heathrow.  Any serious attempt at a UK-wide policy must come before any policy on individual airports, including Heathrow.”  He also said: “The Government should withdraw this partial and disingenuous strategy document, abandon its unjustified policy support for Heathrow and begin again with an approach that people can trust.”
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RICHMOND COUNCIL: AVIATION STRATEGY IGNORES HEALTH IMPACTS

27.10.2017

The Government’s draft aviation strategy tries to shut down any discussion on expansion at Heathrow and puts the demand for additional flights ahead of the health impact on communities affected by increased noise and worsening air quality.

Speaking on behalf of Wandsworth, Richmond, Hillingdon and Windsor and Maidenhead councils, Richmond leader Paul Hodgins said: “It is difficult to see what purpose the draft aviation strategy serves when, in it, the government is ignoring the problem of Heathrow.

“First we had a pro-Heathrow airport draft national policy statement with no details on flightpaths, out of date passenger demand figures, an economic case which doesn’t stand up and unattainable pollution limits. Now we have a national strategy that leaves out Heathrow.
“Any serious attempt at a UK-wide policy must come before any policy on individual airports, including Heathrow.

“Today’s strategy paper also fails to make any attempt to join the dots between aviation expansion and its effects on other key transport sectors such as road and rail. People in the rest of the country need to know just how much public money would be needed for rail links around Heathrow if this privately-owned airport were to expand.

“It also makes no reference to the impact on other airports if Heathrow alone is allowed to expand. “The Department for Transport is once again acting as a cheerleader for Heathrow instead of putting the interests of communities affected by aircraft operations first.

“If it was playing fair by people the Government would draw up a UK-wide policy on aviation before it pressed ahead with expansion at one favoured location. They are putting the cart before the horse. “They are going for an option that minimises competition, maximises prices, sucks in private investment that could go to other parts of the country and maximises environmental damage. “Other options, for example expansion at Gatwick, enable the same growth and create competition which is good for consumers.

“Sustainable growth is only possible if it is based on a full understanding of all the impacts on the communities affected. The Government should withdraw this partial and disingenuous strategy document, abandon its unjustified policy support for Heathrow and begin again with an approach that people can trust.”

The councils say in their response that the Government is attempting to make policy at Heathrow in the face of evidence on illegal air pollution in London and without up to date evidence on passenger demand, noise, health impacts and legally-binding climate change targets.

The draft consultation paper makes no mention of the effect of expansion at Heathrow on demand at other airports, nor of the impact of climate change limits on other airports’ ability to grow.

They add that by putting the emphasis on consumer expectation and demand the Government is returning to an out-dated ‘predict and provide’ approach which has no regard to health and environmental impacts.

Originally published in the Twickenham Tribune 20th October 2017 

http://www.teddingtonactiongroup.com/2017/10/27/richmond-council-aviation-strategy-ignores-health-impacts/

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How much Richmond Council had to spend on lawyers to challenge Heathrow expansion in the last year

6.10.2017

Taken from article (text from Back Heathrow) in the Richmond and Twickenham Times

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Richmond Council has spent tens of thousands of pounds in legal fees to oppose plans for a third runway at Heathrow.

Pro-expansion group Back Heathrow used a Freedom of Information request to discover that between August 2016 and August 2017 Richmond Council spent £56,000, excluding VAT, on lawyers.

Richmond Council’s total expenditure for the year was estimated at  £393,767,200, according to its budget book.

[The council said] –  taxpayers’ money was a democratic decision made after consultation with the borough’s residents.

Council leader, councillor Paul Hodgins, said: “In 2013 this Council carried out a referendum where 60,000 residents had their say and the overwhelming majority were against expansion.

“Since then, we have been very public with our opposition to any expansion of Heathrow.

“In July last year, this Council reaffirmed its opposition, committing funds to oppose the decision in the Courts.

The Council [says] a Heathrow expansion would add intolerable noise, pollution, and traffic and those who would have their quality of life most impacted are on the edge of the flight paths now.

Councillor Paul Hodgins added: “Until Heathrow is off the table we have a responsibility to continue to push the Government and indeed all MPs to see sense.”

http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/15581888.This_is_how_much_Richmond_Council_spent_on_lawyers_to_challenge_Heathrow_expansion_in_the_last_year/

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See earlier:

Night flights to continue at Heathrow despite protests from Richmond Council

14.7.2017

Jen Howard Reporter  (Local Guardian)

According to the government night flights will continue unless the expansion goes ahead

The government has announced that night flights will continue at Heathrow airport until the airport is expanded.

Following a consultation, the government announced yesterday (July 13) that there will be no change to the number of flights allowed between 11.30pm and 6am, until October 2022.

Richmond and Wandsworth councils have been fighting to reduce night flights, arguing that the government has chosen to gamble with the health of Londoners, rather than challenge the airline industry to change.

According to the councils, there is increasing scientific evidence which shows that night flights impact adversely on human health, leading to a variety of conditions.

“The World Health Organisation guidance is clear -it states that Heathrow already steps over the line when it comes to night noise,” added Cllr Hodgins.

“The number of planes that depart and arrive from the airport at night is unacceptable, to protect people’s ears and sleep we need an all-out ban.”

The current regime for night flight restrictions is due to expire in October 2017 and despite objections raised at a consultation held earlier this year, the new five-year plan the new proposals did not include any changes.

Wandsworth Council leader, cllr Ravi Govindia said: “The Government’s consultation on night flights has been exposed as a sham.  Heathrow’s vested interests have been protected while the health and well-being of Londoners living under the flights paths has been sacrificed.”

According to the proposed plans there will be around 16 flights per night during the summer and 18 in the winter and changes to the “noise quota” regime which the government says will encourage the use of new quieter aircraft.

“But the government should not forget that most residents support Heathrow expansion because of the huge benefits that will come to local communities such as 10,000 apprenticeships and 77,000 new local jobs.”

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/wandsworthnews/15411951.Night_flights_to_continue_at_Heathrow_despite_protests_from_Richmond_and_Wandsworth_councils/

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