Bloggin Robin: The reality of a third runway at Heathrow.

The reality of a third runway at Heathrow.

The vociferous citizens of Richmond, Twickenham and Kew are forever campaigning against Heathrow expansion.

Yet in reality any expansion will not affect them. It will affect the citizens of Heston and Osterley and in this instance people who live there, just see Heathrow as a job opportunity.

Yet another letter has appeared in the Richmond and Twickenham Times, they appear in every copy. This one is entitled ‘Debating facts on new runway’. It is the usual turgid waffle from a leader of a ‘NIMBY’ group. The author claims that Heathrow is far from full, what with 98% runway usage. Who are these people?

Here are some real facts worth considering.

(1) A third runway will give relief to the excessive use of runways 27L & 27R. Therefore fewer aircraft over Richmond. There will also be less pressure for night flights.

(2) Aircraft will be able to land quicker, rather than being stacked and waiting for a landing slot. Stacking will still occur but delays will be greatly reduced.

(3) The areas of Heston, Osterley and Longford will be affected by the third runway. Not Richmond, whose residents will be lucky to see an aircraft land on the third runway, let alone hear it.

(4) The Boeing B787 is very quiet compared to older jets. I was sitting on the platform at Hounslow East recently and Heathrow were on Easterly take offs. A Boeing 787 was just airborne, I could barely hear it, certainly, I would not have heard it above a traffic din.

(5) Complaints are made about air pollution. Real pollution comes from motor vehicles, especially diesel. Volkswagen, have been in the news recently about this very matter.

(6) Heathrow is about jobs. People near Heathrow aspire to work there. Last year I went to a Back Heathrow event at the Hilton Hotel, Sion Park. What struck me about the attendees was that they didn’t even work at Heathrow, yet their businesses depended on it, however small.

(7) Cargo is now being transported by road to Europe because slots cannot be found on available aircraft. Articulated-lorries belching out diesel fumes, clogging up the roads and making a sound in most cases, louder than modern aircraft.

(8) Politicians have their own agendas, although they may say they don’t support Heathrow expansion.

(9) The Airports Commission have made their recommendation, it is for a third runway at Heathrow.

(10) ‘Boris Island’ in the Thames Estuary is a non-starter. It is right in the middle of a major wildfowl migration area. Bird strikes on aircraft is a problem. It is also too close to Stansted, London City and Amsterdam airports !

Rolls-Royce figures on air traffic projections indicate that a third runway is essential at Heathrow, in fact if one is to take the figures literally, a fourth runway is needed at Heathrow, a second one at Gatwick and another at Stansted. A major terminal was built on the location where the second runway was proposed to at Gatwick.

Meanwhile another letter appears in the Richmond & Twickenham Times, voicing spurious arguments.

Government ministers will decide on the extra runway in the South-East within the next two months.