** 2M leaders have been to Strasbourg to brief EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas on how Heathrow expansion plans would breach new nitrogen dioxide limits. You can view the 2M presentation here (pdf 569 kb) ** Speaking up for the community The membership comprises the London Boroughs of Brent, Camden, Ealing, Greenwich, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond, Southwark, Sutton and Wandsworth, and the boroughs of Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead and South Bucks District Council. The group, which took its name from the 2 million residents of the original 12 authorities, now represents a combined population of 4 million people. Members are not anti-Heathrow but feel passionately that the Government consistently fails to either acknowledge or assess the airport's full environmental impact. The Government's expansion plans The most high profile measure is the plan for a third runway. The Government has already decided to go ahead with this - the consultation will look at whether the runway can meet air and noise pollution standards. The 2M Group has repeatedly warned ministers that the three month consultation period is too short for a project with such far-reaching implications. The 2M Group has also complained to ministers about the extent of cooperation between the DfT and BAA in the run up to the consultation. This has allowed the airport owner to influence the assessment of whether the environmental conditions for the expansion can be met. Throughout this process the local authorities have been denied access to this vital data. It is only now that the 2M Group can begin the detailed analysis of the material that has been exchanged between BAA and DfT. You can download a copy of the replies in pdf format (900 kb). Public meetings and exhibitions Local councils and campaign groups in the area held a series of public meetings. All were very well attended with massive opposition to the expansion proposals. Although the consultation has closed more campaign events are planned. Details will appear here.
Responding to the consultation This comprises an assessment of environmental impacts - in particular noise and air quality. You can download the final responses from 2M members to the consultation.
Councils are particularly concerned that the Government is not taking account of its own noise survey (ANASE) which was published earlier in November at the insistence of the 2M Group. The study shows that people are more sensitive to noise than they were previously - particularly at night - and that this is directly related to increases in movements. Following the approval of Terminal 5 in 2001, ministers had said that the new noise study would 'underpin' future policy on aircraft noise. The 2M position We believe the Government should commission an independent cost-benefit analysis for all expansion proposals. We do not think it can be right for the Government to allow for a doubling of carbon emissions from domestic aviation by 2050 – while expecting all other sectors to reduce their emissions. The proposals ask people to take on trust that extra flights will not lead to more noise or worsening air pollution. This is based on the promise of a radical change in airlines' fleet mixes including new aircraft not currently on the drawing board. Read the 2M newsletter setting out the boroughs' concerns about the expansion plans.
The 2M response
The Government's own environmental advisers have also queried many of the assumptions in the consultation document. Download the report 'Breaking the Holding Pattern' report from the Sustainable Development Commission Proposed runway maps The top map shows current and projected flight paths for aircraft arriving at Heathrow and the bottom shows depatures.
Hoping for a quiet half day? Find out the weekly schedules for Heathrow arrivals in 2008. Remember the current relief provided at around 3pm when aircraft switch runways will be lost if the Government goes ahead with its expansion plans.
An area guide to aircraft noise Some areas which already suffer from aircraft noise will find things getting much worse. Other communities may experience the roar of a jumbo jet overhead for the first time. The total number of flights at Heathrow could go up from the current figure of 480,000 to around 700,000 a year. This will be achieved by building a third runway to the north and ending the practice of alternation on the existing runways – paving the way for more landings and take-offs on both sides of the airport. Ministers are also expected to abandon the Cranford agreement which currently prevents takeoffs to the east from both runways. This is needed if both existing runways are to be used to their full capacity. The Government is also reviewing the current system where the airport operates on 'westerlies' for around 70 per cent of the year. This is when aircraft come in from the east – descending over London – and land into the prevailing west wind. This guide tries to forecast the impact of all these potential changes throughout the 2M area. The information provided is not definitive and should be treated with caution.
High Speed North - Joining up Britain The proposals would join Heathrow to this new rail network – removing the need for most domestic flights. It would link UK cities to Europe with, in many cases, a travelling time of less than four hours. The proposals have been published by 2M as part of its contribution to the growing debate on alternatives to aviation growth.
You can also download some of the more detailed workings of the report's author.
Contacts For media enquires to any of the 2M Group members click on the contact below.
Council websites
All Government reports on aviation policy are available from the Department for Transport - www.dft.gov.uk/aviation HACAN is a pressure group which campaigns on behalf of residents concerned by aircraft noise - www.hacan.org.uk The World Wildlife Fund is campaigning for businesses to cut one in five flights. Visit www.wwf.org.uk/travellinglight
Heathrow expansion news
Have your say and sign up to the campaign
Sign up to the campaign to stop Heathrow expansion at www.stopheathrowexpansion.com Who to write to You could also write to the local paper using the two email addresses below: letters@wandsworthguardian.co.uk Latest news
21/07/2008 Take the train not the plane |
The 2M Group - representing the people affected by Heathrow expansion
