Third runway at Heathrow set for takeoff

Callum Brodie • Last updated 15 Jan 2009 16:08 0 Comments

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Controversial plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport have been given the go-ahead sparking a mixed reaction amongst residents and businesses leaders within the community.

The £9 billion expansion of Heathrow is expected to create 65,000 new jobs, but despite claims from businesses and union leaders that the project is vital for the local economy many residents are concerned about the potential effects on their quality of life.

Residents in the Royal Borough worried about the environmental impact of the Heathrow expansion suffered a blow after the plans were confirmed by Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon in an announcement earlier today.

The Royal Borough has this week joined with 22 other councils opposed to the third runway in warning ministers that expanding the airport would cause irreparable damage to the quality of life for residents living under runway flightpaths.

Cllr David Burbage, Royal Borough council leader, explained: "We continue to be opposed to the expansion and are to explore our legal options which could result in court charges. The current economic situation throws into doubt the third runway project and there is of course the environmental aspect to think of.

"The construction of the third runway means some smaller villages will go extinct and the increased flights means that even more people will be effected by air traffic noise and pollution which will diminish the quality of life for those residents."

Meanwhile in Slough business leaders and politicians are relishing the prospect of thousands of new jobs that comes with the decision to proceed with the Heathrow expansion.

This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 15 Jan 09

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