Destruction of Communities by Labour Government
Here in Brentford and Chiswick we are concerned about the noise, the pollution and the possible danger of a 3rd Runaway and Terminal 6. As you get closer to Heathrow these concerns become more acute.Today we drove out to Sipson and Harmondsworth to visit the local communities threatened with destruction by the Labour Government's plans for Heathrow. These communities lie to the North of the current flight path and are therefore probably not currently as badly affected by noise as Hatton, Cranford and Bedfont immediately to the East of the currrent runaways.However if Runway 3 and Terminal 6 are built, these two communities of Harmondsworth and Sipson will be destroyed.Their residents will lose their homes.The villages of Sipson and Harmondsworth will be destroyed along with their pubs, shops and historic buildings.these are real villages with houses, shops, schools, pubs and shops and not suburbs.Ironically many of the residents have worked or are still working at the airport which is now going to destroy their homes and communities.In particular, the beautiful parish church of St Mary the Virgin, which has stood on the same site in Harmondsworth since 1067, is under threat, along with its churchyard, parish hall and vicarage.Even if this wonderful and historic parish church is allowed to survive, it will be enclosed within the Heathrow Airport perimter- cut off from the communities and people it serves.We spoke to the new Vicar of Harmondsworth, Rev. Canon Amatu Christian-Igwuagwu, who has recently arrived in the village with his wife Princess and four very young children. Rev Canon Amatu expressed his amazement that England was prepared to destroy its heritage by extending an airport into such a historic area.
David Giles ● 6689d7 Comments