PUTNEY'S MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT TONY COLMAN

"On numerous occasions I have restated the case that much more could be done to improve the lives of Putney residents. Rather than accepting the case for a new Terminal, the Government should look seriously at alternative airport sites east of London"

In my last contribution, I identified some of the key issues facing Putney at the moment. This week, I will pick up on one of those - aviation issues - and have a deeper look at what is happening. Earlier this week, the Secretary of State for Transport announced the decision to construct a fifth Terminal at Heathrow airport. His full statement can be found at www.parliament.uk. I have been campaigning against T5 on behalf of Putney residents since I was elected. I gave evidence to the planning enquiry, have asked questions in the House and had individual meetings with all those concerned. I have also of course been in correspondence with many constituents.

Tony Colman MP

There has been a great alliance of Councils, residents, local groups and HACAN to fight this application and, very unfortunately, we have lost.

On numerous occasions I have restated the case that much more could be done to improve the lives of Putney residents. Rather than accepting the case for a new Terminal, the Government should look seriously at alternative airport sites east of London, so that flights could land and take off over the sea. I have this week written to the Aviation Minster to ask him to look into airport and runway provision in coastal areas east of London.

Also, there must be no third runway. The Minister announced that he will review the Westerly preference option for day flights, and I have already called on him to spread the day flights more equally over Putney and Windsor, as the Government agreed to do with night flights. If any constituents would like to support the pressure on the Minister over this, please write to me at the House of Commons or e-mail me, and I will pass on your concerns.

The European Court decision on night flights should also be implemented at once. The Government have until the New Year to appeal, and are refusing to say anything about their decision - I have already tabled questions in the House about this, and will continue to apply pressure.

Please contact me for any further information about the T5 decision or any other issues. If you want to write to me, please e-mail colmant@parliament.uk, or Tony Colman MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. I have a small website hosted by www.epolitix.com - if you log on, click on 'webminster', and then search for Putney.

To check if I am your MP, please log on to www.locata.co.uk/commons and enter your full postcode.

I am setting up a website at the moment, and will publicise it as widely as possible in the next few months. I am actively looking for a company to help me set it up, host, maintain and update it, so if you know of someone, please do let me know.

Tony Colman MP
colmant@parliament.uk

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First Putneysw15.com Diary Entry 8.11.2001

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