MEGA Rally Against Heathrow Expansion
Posted on March 31, 2013
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson and former Transport Secretary Justine Greening will head the list of speakers at a mega rally against Heathrow expansion organised by Zac Goldsmith MP on 27th April.
It will take place from 9.30-10.30am at Barn Elms Playing Fields, Queen Elizabeth Walk, London SW13. The rally will also feature MPs from all the political parties as well as council leaders. There will be a series of short speeches before Boris casts the first 'vote' in the referendum Richmond Council is holding on the question of Heathrow Expansion.
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Department for Transport Consults on Night Flights
Posted on March 31, 2013
The Government is consulting on a new night flights regime at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick to replace the current agreement with the airlines which runs out in October 2014.
It is the first part of a two-part consultation. The second part of the consultation will take place this Autumn. It will have detailed proposals. This first part is largely a technical consultation. It doesn’t express any view on whether night flights should be banned.
If you want to respond to the consultation, you will find it at:
It is very technical so you may find this HACAN briefing helpful:http://www.hacan.org.uk/resources/briefings/night.flights.consultation.bullet.points.pdf
The deadline for responses in 22nd April. Email them to night.noise@dft.gsi.gov.uk or send them to Night noise consultation, Department for Transport, Great Minster House (1/26), 33 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 4DR
Or you simply may want to email Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, direct and let him know just how much you value your sleep: patrick.mcloughlin@dft.gsi.gov.uk
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Government Aviation Strategy Released
Posted on March 31, 2013
The Government released its aviation strategy on Friday 22nd March. Our sister organisation HACAN, representing residents under the Heathrow flight paths, described it as ‘disappointing’.
HACAN chair John Stewart said, “The aviation strategy is very disappointing. It will permit growth without any clear targets to limit its noise and climate change impacts. Without such targets there is no guarantee that people or the planet will be protected.”
The strategy sets out overall Government policy on aviation –https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/153776/aviation-policy-framework.pdf It replaces the 2013 Air Transport White Paper published by the previous Labour Government. The new policy will provide the framework for the Airports Commission which the Government set up last year under Sir Howard Davies. That has been asked to make recommendations about how much extra airport capacity may be needed in the coming decades so that the UK can remain well connected to the rest of the world –https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/airports-commission
One of the main objectives of the new strategy will be “to ensure that the UK’s air links continue to make it one of the best connected countries in the world” so that “the UK can compete successfully for economic growth opportunities.” The Government also stresses that it wants to “ensure that the aviation sector makes a significant and cost-effective contribution towards reducing global emissions” and that the number of people significantly affected by aircraft noise is limited and where possible reduced. It does not, though, set noise or climate change targets.
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London City Airport Consultation
Posted on March 29, 2013
City Airport has plans to build new infrastructure to cater for the bigger aircraft it expects will be using the airport in years to come. It wants to extend the terminal and build bigger parking bays for the aircraft. It is not seeking permission to for an increase in the number of planes permitted to use the aircraft. More details about the proposals and consultation is available atwww.londoncityairport.com/cadp The Airport is also holding a series of exhibitions:
• Monday 8 April 1500 to 1900 – Trust Thamesmead, Thamesmead Greenwich
• Wednesday 10 April 1600 to 2000 – Royal Docks Learning and Activity Centre, North Woolwich, Newham
• Thursday 11 April 1500 to 1900 – Chrisp Street Ideas Store, Poplar Tower Hamlets
• Friday 12 April 1400 to 1800 – Britannia Village Hall, West Silvertown Newham
• Saturday 13 April 1000 to 1400 – Woolwich Common Community Centre, Woolwich Greenwich
Following the consultation the airports expects to submit a formal application to Newham Council, the planning authority, in early Summer.
