Expansion of Heathrow opposed by Wandsworth residents & council
Wandsworth Council has said it “strongly opposes” the expansion of Heathrow airport with the addition of a third runway. This decision, it said, “disregards the environmental, health, and quality-of-life impacts on communities already suffering from the negative effects of air traffic.”
“The impact of a Heathrow expansion on Wandsworth residents is significant,” the council said in a press release. Communities across Balham, Battersea, Clapham Common, Putney, Tooting, and Wandsworth Town, it added “face increased noise pollution due to the loss of runway alternation on the existing runways.” Aircraft would be “overhead for more hours each day when westerly operations are in place, with no respite after 3pm.”
A shorter new runway would “force larger, noisier aircraft to use the existing full-length runways, further exacerbating the disruption,” it said.
In 2019, Wandsworth helped lead a cross-party coalition of other councils, consisting of Richmond, Hillingdon, Windsor and Maidenhead, and Hammersmith and Fulham. This group, working with the Mayor of London and climate charities, challenged the Government’s Airports National Policy Statement, arguing that it failed to adequately consider the environmental implications or align with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Although the High Court initially ruled in Wandsworth’s favour, Heathrow’s appeal to the Supreme Court reversed this decision.
“We cannot stand by and let Heathrow have a green light to enact such unwelcome changes on our communities,” Council Leader, Simon Hogg, said. “The third runway not only threatens our environment but will also severely affect the day-to-day lives of thousands of Wandsworth residents. This fight is about protecting their quality of life, holding the Government accountable for its climate promises, and ensuring a sustainable future for our borough. We will work tirelessly alongside our coalition partners to oppose these plans.”
For more updates on Wandsworth, visit EyeOnLondon Wandsworth.
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