Graves of loved-ones will not be disturbed

Airport chiefs say cemetery will be left in peace

HARMON D SW OR TH cemetery will not be dug up in order to make way for Heathrow’s third runway, airport officials have claimed.

After growing fears from villagers that loved ones’ graves at the burial ground next to St Mary’s Church would be demolished to pave the west London hub’s expansion, the question was put to the airport to confirm what the proposals covered.

A Heathrow Airport source told getwestlondon: “Any changes to the Harmondsworth cemetery are not part of the proposals and it will remain as it is.”

It is not the first dispute over uncertainty around demolition plans, after British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh said he not given any formal warning of the proposals, which go straight through the BA offices.

He said: “We were never actually informed or advised by Heathrow that they intended to knock down our headquarters .” This claim was strongly denied by the airport.

A “ramp” for planes to take off could be built over the M25 as part of the third runway plan, transport secretary Chris Grayling said in October shortly after the government made its announcment.

Mr Grayling said it would be a “cheaper and quicker” option rather than building a tunnel for the M25 underneath the new runway.

He indicated the decision would mean least amount of disruption for drivers.

Mr Grayling said: “It is a cheaper and quicker way of doing it.” the

TNL20133892_1 HISTORIC: A view of St Mary's Church, churchyard and The Great Barn as seen from Harmondsworth Moor

REST IN PEACE: Graves near St Mary's Church in Harmondworth High Street will not be disturbed to make way for a third runway at Heathrow