When Heathrow had six runways

THE Heathrow Saga goes on. Local politicians and environmental groups jump on the band wagon all planning to use pollution to go to court to try to block it.

Misguided and not understanding that most of the pollution is from the cars, buses, trucks and the big diesel trains both sides of the airport.

Planes use paraffin (kerosene) not diesel or petrol. At one time over half the country used paraffin heaters in the winter. Why didn’t half the country die from paraffin pollution?

It just shows the Anti-Heathrowists have not done their homework.

Heathrow used to have six runways and the third runway is only replacing one of the four runways that were previously lost to terminal buildings and taxiways. I am old enough to remember when there was nothing but fields and a few houses. Well over 80% of the houses near Heathrow did not exist when Heathrow first came into being in the 1930s.

A majority of people do not remember the mighty Brabazon that use to take off and land at Heathrow, with its eight engine contra- rotating propellers. It could be heard up to three miles from the airport. Not to mention the pollution it pumped out then.

If the politicians really cared about the villagers near Heathrow they would have rebuilt their villages in other parts of Hillingdon, where there more than enough land to do so. Is it more of a case of “bums”on votes with local politicians.

As much as I agree that Heathrow should expand, but at the same time Gatwick should also be allowed to expand. This would ensure that both airports would not expand too much too fast and run out of capacity again, or someone will start looking to replace all six of Heathrow’s runways. MR WILLIAM C F PIERCE Masefield Lane Hayes