Islington Council agrees motion on opposition to Heathrow Expansion & the introduction of concentrated flight paths over Islington

Islington Council has agreed a motion, to oppose the expansion of Heathrow, and the introduction of concentrated flight paths over Islington. This was debated by the Council on 26th September. The Council believes:  That expansion of Heathrow is not compatible with the climate emergency recently declared by the UK Parliament and by this Council. And  That noise impacts from additional flights over London would have a negative impact on the health and quality of life of Islington residents.  It therefore resolves to:  Oppose expansion of airport capacity in London if the Government cannot demonstrate that it is accommodated within the emissions budget that the CCC recommends for aviation in 2050, as well as other environmental limits, such as air quality.  Make representations to London City Airport and the CAA calling for a fairer distribution of flight paths in London.  Make representations to the Government urging UK Aviation Noise policy to be brought into line with WHO recommendations.  Register as an ‘Interested Party” in the Development Consent Order Process for the proposed expansion of Heathrow.  Investigate joining the No Third Runway Coalition as a local authority member
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Islington Council

Proposed amendment to Motion 4:

Opposition to Heathrow Expansion & the introduction of concentrated flight paths over Islington

https://democracy.islington.gov.uk/documents/s19700/Proposed%20amendment%20to%20Motions.pdf

The Council notes –

 That the Mayor of London is opposed to the expansion of Heathrow airport.

 That the report ‘Aircraft Noise” by the London Assembly Environment Committee recommended opposition to expansion at Heathrow owing to the impact on Londoners of the large increase in flight numbers.

 That World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines state that frequent exposure to noise above 45 decibels is associated with adverse health effects, yet the threshold set in the Government’s guidelines is 54 decibels.

 That the impact of a new runway at Heathrow is likely to exceed 54-decibels by between 3-6 dB.

 That the expansion of Heathrow would result in 700 more flights every day over communities across London.

 That the proposed introduction of concentrated flight paths would have a significant and adverse impact on the health of local communities by creating noise canyons over parts of Islington.

 That aircraft noise has a particularly negative impact on children’s health, including their cognitive development.

 The Airports National Policy Statement used a single ‘minimise total’ flight path scenario, which is not compatible with the Department for Transport’s own key environmental policy – to reduce, minimise and mitigate significant adverse health and wellbeing impacts of aviation noise.


The Council further notes –

 Emissions from aviation have doubled since 1990, despite a 40% fall across the whole economy.

 That Heathrow is already the largest single source of carbon emissions in the UK.

 The findings of the 2018 IPCC report, highlighting the huge ecological and human cost of failure to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

 The latest report from the Committee on Climate Change states that aviation must contribute to its new target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

 The council has made its opposition to a third runway at Heathrow in April 2018 and again in September 2019 during the Heathrow consultation.


The Council therefore believes –

 That expansion of Heathrow is not compatible with the climate emergency recently declared by the UK Parliament and by this Council.

 That noise impacts from additional flights over London would have a negative impact on the health and quality of life of Islington residents.


The Council resolves to –

 Reaffirm its position to oppose further expansion of Heathrow airport.

 Oppose expansion of airport capacity in London if the Government cannot demonstrate that it is accommodated within the emissions budget that the Climate Change Committee (CCC) recommends for aviation in 2050, as well as other environmental limits, such as air quality.

 Make representations to London City Airport and the Civil Aviation Authority calling for a fairer distribution of flight paths in London.

 Make representations to the Government urging UK Aviation Noise policy to be brought into line with WHO recommendations.

 Register as an ‘Interested Party” in the Development Consent Order Process for the proposed expansion of Heathrow.

 Investigate joining the No Third Runway Coalition as a local authority member

https://democracy.islington.gov.uk/documents/s19700/Proposed%20amendment%20to%20Motions.pdf

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See also

 

Hammersmith & Fulham Council will join the 4 councils’ legal challenge against Heathrow 3rd runway

Hammersmith & Fulham Council has vowed to keep fighting plans for a third runway at Heathrow, even if Parliament votes in favour of it. The council has said it will seek to join any legal challenge against a decision in favour of expanding the west London airport – a move the council says would subject residents to a mire of misery and pollution. Council Leader Stephen Cowan said:  “We absolutely refuse to sit back and let such a potentially catastrophic decision be made without a fight, We’ve made our stance very clear; a third runway at Heathrow would mean more noise for residents already suffering noise disturbance, more pressure on our roads and an unacceptable increase in air pollution. If we need to take legal action, we will, as the environmental cost of meekly accepting a decision in favour of expansion, would be far worse.” In 2014, H&F Council set up a resident-led commission to investigate the potential effects of expansion on residents’ lives. It reported back that the overall impact of Heathrow expansion would be negative, with any benefits unlikely to be felt by those in H&F.   
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Mayor, Sadiq Khan, ready to join legal action by Councils against 3rd runway at Heathrow

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will join the legal action brought by local councils (Hillingdon, Richmond, Wandsworth and Windsor & Maidenhead)against Heathrow expansion if Parliament votes in favour of a 3rd runway on 25th June. (Hammersmith and Fulham Council has also recently indicated they would join.)  Sadiq has reiterated his opposition to the Government’s decision to back Heathrow expansion and emphasised the significant environmental and noise impacts that a third runway would have on Londoners’ lives, as well as concerns about funding necessary transport improvements. To date, TfL have provided valuable technical support to the local councils. The Government has failed to show any plans for how it will fund the billions of pounds needed to improve road and rail connections to the airport and prevent huge congestion across the transport network. TfL estimates approximately £15bn more investment will be needed when necessary new rail and road links are taken into account, and TfL (Londoners) would have to find the money. The comprehensive recommendations on the NPS by the Transport Select Committee have also not been accepted by Government.   
https://www.airportwatch.org.uk/2018/06/mayor-sadiq-khan-ready-to-join-legal-action-by-councils-against-3rd-runway-at-heathrow/
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