Heathrow Airport is currently consulting residents on possible changes that could affect our borough – which include adding new flight paths and expanding to three runways.
Ealing Council recently voted to oppose the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport. At a meeting of the full council in December 2018, a motion against the construction of a third runway was backed by councillors.
Although the council recognised the valuable role the airport plays in the local economy, councillors decided a third runway could have a detrimental effect on the quality of residents’ lives in the borough through damaging levels of air pollution.
Residents and also people who work in, or visit, the borough are all encouraged to participate in the first consultation, which is live now until 4 March. A second consultation will follow soon afterwards.
The first consultation includes an interactive map which shows the number, height and noise of potential flights across any postcode or area. There will also be three events within the borough in the coming weeks open to the public. See information below.
Plans for a new, third runway would see it positioned north of the existing two runways, which would mean areas such as Ealing, Acton and Chiswick might have much more air traffic overhead, with implications for noise and air pollution.
Three key parts of the consultation are described as:
- Airspace change for an expanded Heathrow: The local factors that should be considered in different geographic areas when designing future flight paths
- Airspace change to make better use of Heathrow’s existing two runways: The local factors that should be considered in different geographic areas when designing new flight paths for some arrivals on the existing two runways
- Future operations for an expanded Heathrow: How Heathrow will operate three runways in the future, this includes managing noise; respite through runway and airspace alternation; directional preference and night flights.
Council leader Julian Bell said: “Whether a third runway at Heathrow happens or not, these proposals on future operations of the airport would have real impacts on Ealing residents, so I would urge everyone with an interest to respond to the consultation. “We believe that the impact on local residents of noise and pollution from Heathrow should be minimised, including a total night-flight ban so that everyone can get a decent night’s sleep, as well as reducing low-flying planes over heavily residential areas. Furthermore, we are demanding a £150million compensation package, if a third runway does happen, to protect local residents, reduce pollution from land transport and secure jobs and skills opportunities for Ealing.”
Public events
During the consultation period Heathrow Airport will be hosting a number of public events to answer your questions. There will be three events in the borough starting in Southall (23 January), followed by Ealing (1 February) and Northolt (15 February).
Only Southall and Northolt events will have a sound demonstration facility. This provides demonstrations to help you understand what aircraft may look and sound like at different heights, both outside and indoors.
Southall – Wednesday 23 January, 2-8pm
Monsoon Banqueting Suite,
100 The Green,
Southall UB2 4BG
Ealing – Friday 1 February, 2-8pm
Ealing Town Hall,
Ealing Broadway,
Ealing W5 2BY
Northolt – Friday 15 February, 2-8pm
Northolt Leisure Centre, Eastcote Lane
North, Northolt UB5 4AB
The online consultation contains 11 questions across six topics and should take 45 minutes to complete. Physical copies of each of the consultation documents are available at all events as well as at Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, London, W5 2HL.
Photo credit: Heathrow Airport
