Forum Topic

Heathrow Expansion

A recent article in a London daily stated that a majority of MPs are in favor of a third runway. While there are many legitimate arguments against expanding Heathrow, I would like to draw readers to one very enlightening observation: Along with the executives at BAA and BA, of this majority of MPs in favor of a third runway, not one lives beneath the flight path. Not one will be subject to the increase in noise and air pollution. Not one will lose any sleep should they get their way!!!!

Jeff Birnberg ● 4918d5 Comments

I liked the nostalgia of John Kay for the impartial objective evidence-based work of the Roskill Commission when compared with current policy making.http://www.johnkay.com/2012/11/07/london%E2%80%99s-new-airport-held-to-ransom-by-folly

Tim Henderson ● 4917d

You are so right but all these PRs and chums with connections have better access to MPs and civil servants than the rest of us. Which is so completely wrong in a democracy and why we get it wrong with so many issues.

Anthony Waller ● 4917d

"A recent article in a London daily stated that a majority of MPs are in favor of a third runway. "A London daily edited by the wife of one of BAA's PR people and which is pushing a line of pro-expansion propaganda so blatant it can be seen from space.[there isn't a pro-expansion majority of MPs, it's all PR and BS]

Thomas Barry ● 4917d

I didn't think the IPSOS-Mori poll identified the (only) 93 MPs who responded so we can't be sure who was under the flightpath or not.http://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/3074/Boris-Island-gains-very-little-support-amongst-MPs.aspxHowever, of the 13 London MPs only one strongly supported Heathrow expansion (was Kwasi Kwarteng interviewed ?) and another tended to support the idea. In terms of "net support" London MPs were strongly against Heathrow expansion and the north east, north west and south west MPs were the main proponents!Zac Goldsmith has good things to say in his submission to the Parliamentary Transport Select C'tee on Aviation Strategy :http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmtran/writev/aviation/m35.htm

Tim Henderson ● 4918d

BAA also claimed today the some £14 BILLION of trade is lost due to the lack of a third runway.Even if I supported a 3rd runway that's a rather wild claim that probably cannot be substantiated in any way.They are now using business as their key argument knowing that the man in charge of the enquiry is the former chair of the CBI. Another organisation that very often also makes wild claims for businesses to get preferences.As for jobs, it's time to wake up. The only jobs will be semi and non skilled jobs apart from during construction.Almost all of the highly skilled and solid career jobs have moved away from Heathrow already. BA now do most skilled work at Cardiff as do most other UK and sub-contracting airlines.They no longer look to recruit engineering from this area but cleaners and shop staff. This is not going to bring long term prosperity to this part of London.What it will bring is noise and pollution to an even wider part of London and the western counties, overcrowding on the tube rendering it useless for users between Hounslow and Kensington increasing road traffic which residents will end up paying the price for.And then they will want a 4th runway. And we will still be the only 'developed city in the world that still has an international airport aligned and with approaches over a highly populated metropolis.Simple common sense says that's wrong.As for MPs BAA and airlines with vested interests are lobbying hard all MPs outside of the airport footprint.As usual secretive and sly and something David Cameron was keen to stamp out.  Now he's ( to quote a TV show title ) in the thick of it.

Michael Brandt ● 4918d