The 2M Group: against Heathrow expansion
Coalition government cancels runway
The 2M campaign to defeat proposals for a third Heathrow runway has resulted in victory after the coaliton government announced it was scrapping the plans.
The announcement was one of the first made by the new administration. It followed the successful High Court action before the election which was brought by local councils and environmental groups.
2M leaders will now switch their attention to ensuring that the protection offered by runway alteration is retained. This provides vital noise relief for residents when aircraft switch runways at 3pm each day. Any attempt to introduce mixed mode operations - where aircraft land and take off on both runways in parallel - will be resisted.
The councils believe the High Court ruling also paves the way to more stringent noise controls. They will also press for reductions in night flights. Consultation on a new regime from 2012 is expected to start later this year.
