Heathrow has been in the headlines all this year   20 December 2008

At the beginning of the year the Department for Transport held its consultation into its plans to expand the airport. Over 20,000 people attended almost 50 meetings held by local authorities and campaign groups to protest against the plans, culminating in 3,000 people packing Central Hall, Westminster to attend at rally addressed by politicians of all parties.
The opposition to expansion has grown all year. Residents’ campaign groups have been joined by 21 local authorities, national campaign groups such as Greenpeace, politicians from all the political parties and environmentalists from across the country. Direct action activists from Plane Stupid climbed on to the roof of the Houses of Parliament to protest against Heathrow expansion.
The Conservative Party has said it does not support the expansion plans. The Liberal Democrats have promised to build no more runways in the South East. The Green Party and Respect are firmly opposed. All the main candidates for Mayor of London came out against.
In a big blow to the Government the former Chief Executive of BA Bob Ayling has come out against expansion. London First, representing big business in the capital, has said the priority is for a better not bigger airport. The Government’s own environmental advisors, the Environment Agency, have questioned the Department for Transport’s air pollution figures. Its other main advisors, the Sustainable Development Commission, have cast doubt on the robustness of the Government’s economic claims. The RMT trade union has come out against, arguing for a high-speed rail alternative. They have been joined by five other unions.
The Government and the aviation industry are being assailed from all sides. Their economic arguments for expansion are being challenged. Their environmental claims about air pollution, noise and climate change are being undermined. The destruction of at least 700 homes, including the entire village of Sipson, is being ever more fiercely criticised. Over 50 Labour MPs have called on the Government to think again. And the Cabinet is divided over Heathrow expansion.
It is not surprising that the Government has put off a final decision until January 2009.


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