History book misses story

HEATHROW is currently very much in the public eye. It is hardly surprising therefore that a book on the airport should have recently appeared. (Heathrow - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Alan Gallop).

The work would appear to be the first attempt at a full treatment of the airport’s history. So potentially it fills an important gap.

The opening chapters give a pretty full account of Heathrow’s early years. Stanwell readers in particular will appreciate the very positive account of the activities of one of their community’s former residents - local councillor and trade unionist, Fred Gore.

However, when the author approaches the modern period things seem to go awry.

In talking about the two recent expansion plans Gallop frequently seems confused about which one he is referring to. He also fails to explain why the short runway proposal ‘bit the dust’ in 2010.

Perhaps also because of his enthusiasm for expansion he fails to mention a number of troubling events which have occurred along the way. These include -

■ The binning of the Department for Transport’s research showing Gatwick as a better option for growth.

■ The shrinking of the planned Stanwell nature reserve.

■ The negative impact - already perceptible - of the Airport’s project on local communities.

If a second edition of the book is planned substantial corrections will need to be made. Andrew McLuskey

Ashford By email