Local MPs Unite Against Third Runway

Street stall outside Sainsbury gets support

Rupa Huq MP for Ealing Central and Acton and Ruth Cadbury MP for Brentford and Isleworth joined forces to run a street-stall outside Sainsburys, on the first Saturday after the announcement that the Government recommends a third runway at Heathrow.

The issue is a matter of concern for both MPs as the airport borders both their seats, with the pressure group CHATR – Chiswick against the Third Runway, also taking part.

A steady stream of shoppers stopped to talk and sign up their support as the majority of local residents are opposed to a third runway.

Ruth Cadbury commented: "I am saddened and angry that the Government has opted for a proposal that will bring significant noise to the half of my constituency not already under the approach paths, plus more pollution, and higher costs to the UK taxpayer and airline passenger.”

Her words were echoed by Rupa Huq, who told Chiswick W4. com that “the new northern runway will impact many more Ealing residents than the existing Heathrow one that already emits illegal levels of NO2 polluting the air. Given all the associated congestion and M25 tunnelling, if airport expansion must take place in the south east it is a wrong decision to not plump for Gatwick which could be done with almost no cost to taxpayers, much quicker and affecting a fraction of the residents that Heathrow does.”

"This is an absolutely devastating decision for London. In Chiswick we have been fighting for a generation for future generations not to be blighted with more noise and pollution from Heathrow - and we will keep on fighting' declared Sara Furnas, co-founder of CHATR. She was decked out in a hat topped off with a model plane that her son had made for the occasion. Other protestors donned air traffic control air defenders.

Visitors to the stall of all ages voiced their concern. Tracy Elner commented: 'The air pollution is intolerable and the noise pollution devastating and debilitating for us all. An elderly gentleman asked if Sipson Church would be saved. When he was told that the villages of Sipson and Harmondsworth were both due for demolition he remarked “If the Lutfwharfe couldnt finish them off they will be gone now!”

Opponents have pledged to continue the fight, with the decision expected to be put to the vote in a year’s time.

October 31, 2016