The £190m price tag on supporting Heathrow

CAMPAIGNERS in Hillingdon – both for and against the proposed third runway at Heathrow – will be watching what Ealing Council does next.

The authority in West London has said it will do everything it can to oppose the expansion of Heathrow Airport – unless it is given £190 million for mitigation measures, investment and new transport links. In a formal response to the second round of consultations on the third runway, Ealing Council voiced concerns the current plans would create unacceptable levels of noise and pollution for residents.

The move comes as a final date of October 17 is set for an impending legal challenge against Heathrow by the No 3rd Runway Coalition group.

In a statement, Ealing Council said: “The council is demanding a £190m package of mitigation and investment for the borough, should expansion go ahead.

“This includes getting better insulation for home owners to combat noise and increasing the catchment area covered by the scheme.

“The council also wants new investment to improve public transport, so more airport passengers and employees can travel to the airport by greener means, reducing air pollution locally.”

Other demands included greater investment in skills and employment.

The council also insisted on a commitment to a total night time flight ban, except in emergencies.

Council leader Julian Bell said: “We understand the importance of Heathrow both locally, nationally and globally and we want it to thrive.

“But this can’t be at any cost – there has to be a balance between the economic benefits and the very real noise and environmental impacts of expansion on local people. As well as increased noise and pollution from flights, we remain concerned about the impact of increased traffic in the area.

Mr Bell said he saw Ealing Council taking up the role “of critical friend rather than foe”.

He said: “Despite some positive engagement, we haven’t really seen much movement on some of the concessions we’ve been seeking.

“We want to see far more ambition and detailed proposals on health and wellbeing, transport, economy, employment and skills, noise and emissions, and planning and housing – and how these goals will be achieved.

“I’m particularly disappointed that ideas to get people out of their cars, which seem like a no-brainer to me, haven’t been progressed.

“For example, we’ve asked for a segregated cycle link between Southall and the airport, which would really help to deliver a significant change in behaviour and give airport workers a greener way to travel.”

Responding to the statements, a Heathrow spokesperson said: “We welcome Ealing Council’s response to our consultation and the constructive nature of their engagement to date.

“We will continue to work with the council as we finalise our masterplan, which will unlock the benefits of expansion for Ealing residents including jobs, enhanced green space and a 6.5-hour scheduled night flight ban.”

The airport said they were offering a noise insulation scheme worth more than £700m for those living closest to the airport.

“Heathrow is also working closely with TfL and other providers to strengthen public transport and active travel routes ahead of expansion.

“Our future plans include a new 20km green loop of dedicated walking and cycling space around the airport and we are in discussions with Ealing Council to ensure that these changes benefit their residents.”

In July, local residents and environmental groups were given another chance to stop the Heathrow expansion after the Court of Appeal granted permission for a fresh legal challenge.

The court date has been set for October 17 and the case is now scheduled to last six days. Paul Beckford, policy director of the No 3rd Runway Coalition, said the previous High Court judgement in favour of Heathrow had been a judicial review looking at whether the government had followed the appropriate procedures in allowing the extension, and the rules of climate emissions had since changed.

He said: “Since then we’ve now had the net zero target laid out in parliament, amending the Climate Change Act, to make net-zero law.

“That’s a change to the legal framework in which the judge can consider the issue.”