Ealing Council and Friends of the Earth say consultation inadequate
Liza Ctori, of the Environmental Health and Trading Standards Team at Ealing Council met with Cllr Jim Randall recently to tell him about the 3rd runway consultation paper.
Ms Ctori told us: "The two proposals - for a third runway and for mixed mode operations at Heathrow would both affect Acton residents in terms of noise exposure.
"South Acton/Chiswick residents will be disturbed by planes landing on the 3rd runway (operational from 2020), and the rest of Acton will be affected by a proposed new departure flightpath from the existing runways (when there are easterly winds - these occur approx 25% of the time) as soon as 2010."
"The Department of Transport have decided not to hold any publicity events in the borough - we are challenging this decision - but there is one in Brentford on 16th Jan (Holiday Inn, High St 10am-8pm). We plan to hold a meeting in Acton in mid January - no date fixed yet, but I will keep you informed."
In its consultation roadshow on Heathrow expansion, the government says "it is right that all voices are heard in the debate."
Nic Ferriday, spokesperson for West London Friends of the Earth said "This statement is disingenuous. Community groups tried to hand out leaflets inviting the public to visit their 'alternative exhibition' in West Drayton on 10th Dec. But they were stopped by DfT (Department of Transport) officials."
"Community groups asked to hire a room on 12th Dec in the same hotel as the DfT one - the Sheraton Skyline. They were refused. There were even police outside the Sheraton Skyline for the DfT roadshow. It is obvious that the last thing the government wants is for all voices to be heard."
December 19, 2007
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