Judicial review not wise spend

I WRITE about the unnecessary requirements of a judicial review for something that will be of great benefit to London.

I write particularly about the local authority group comprising of the London Boroughs of Hillingdon, Wandsworth, Richmond, Windsor and Maidenhead Council, and Hammersmith and Fulham.

This groups intention to seek judicial review of the Government’s decision to give policy support in the Airports National Policy Statement (‘NPS’) for a third Heathrow runway.

This group, in MP terms, is predominantly Conservative led, which I find extraordinary… they largely voted in favour of this much required expansion.

Moreover, it seems that the Councillors in this group have not read the full stats about how emissions and noise from aeroplanes has been massively reduced over the evolution of the aircraft industry and will be doing so now and into the future.

Furthermore, this group also appears not to be aware of the introduction of electric cars which was brought about not only by concerns about increasing oil prices but also for the desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Finally, it appears they have not read the full reports into how transport links will be improved to and from Heathrow when the Third Runway is built.

Or maybe it is they are just simply a nimby group.

The cost of a judicial review for which this group has pledged, should be used for local people for the likes of housing, education and other such benefits for which you can see the impact and not to fight the Airport NPS.

Heathrow expansion will bring benefits not only to the local economy, people who live in the area this “group” covers, the nation and the international community. This great airport needs to expand to continue to be a great airport.

If the need for the expansion is held up by further unnecessary political posturing, Heathrow will be left out in the cold and the likes of Schiphol and/or Frankfurt airports could, or probably would, take over Heathrow’s international status.

I would urge this group not to submit a judicial review and to spend their cash wisely. Judicial review is not a wise spend, there ain’t no return and there definitely isn’t any refund.

And for the record… it’s good living here. We have a local airport, motorway (s), tube and rail services plus good cycling amenities. Apart from being born in West London I have stayed in West London… it’s close to the airport, which has been there all my life. Fiona Sadek Supporter of Back Heathrow