Residents’ fury at Heathrow compensation consultation

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Assumption of third runway too much

Furious residents have complained to campaign group HACAN about Heathrow Airport’s most recent consultation.  Last week Heathrow released a three month consultation seeking people’s views on who should qualify for compensation if a third runway goes ahead.  But residents have told HACAN that they feel they are being steamrollered into accepting the fact that a third runway is inevitable at a time when the Government has made no decision on the future of Heathrow.

HACAN Chair John Stewart said, “We get a constant stream of emails from people throughout the year but rarely have we been deluged with so many angry emails as we have had this past week over this consultation.  People are simply not prepared to discuss compensation arising from a third runway they simply don’t want”. 

Stewart added: “HACAN works with Heathrow Airport on issues like flight paths which can improve the quality of life for people affected by the existing Heathrow but we will not be responding to this consultation.  We believe this consultation is putting the cart before the horse.”

The Airports Commission, which the Government set up to look at new runways in London and the South East, will not report for another year.  It is looking at three possible options for expansion:  a third runway at Heathrow; a second runway at Gatwick; or a brand new Estuary Airport.

July 28, 2014