This was on social media from Ruth Cadbury MP“ With Heathrow Airport and Aurora submitting their proposals for a third runway at Heathrow, I want to assure residents that as a constituency MP I am continuing to oppose a third runway, and to stand up for residents locally. Any proposal to expand Heathrow and increase its 480,000 annual cap on flights should be considered and be scrutinised by Parliament against the four tests that Labour had set for expansion at Heathrow. Those tests were: that expansion could be compatible with targets to cut carbon emissions, that local noise and air pollution impacts can be limited, it will contribute towards growth across the UK, and that expansion will meet the UK’s capacity demands. We have yet to see robust evidence that all four can be achieved. The cost to the Treasury, and therefore the taxpayer, for essential transport infrastructure upgrades into and around the expanded airport would have to be considered. A third runway will put extra pressure on our existing bus, train and tube services. Increasing flights over the already very congested skies over South East England would also ask further questions of our air traffic control systems. We could also see more noise over areas such as Heston.Heathrow Airport is a major employer locally and will continue to provide jobs and bring investment into West London; this would not change without a third runway.”
Steve Taylor ● 8d