Runway opposition takes to streets (From Ealing Times)

Runway opposition takes to streets

2:52pm Monday 26th March 2007

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LIBERAL Democrat councillors took to the streets of Ealing at the weekend to campaign against the proposed third runway at Heathrow.

Councillors Jon Ball and Gary Malcolm spoke to shoppers in Ealing Broadway on Saturday and collected signatures for a petition against the expansion.

And the councillors said half the battle was convincing the public how much of a negative effect the planes would have.

Councillor Gary Malcolm, (Lib, Southfield) said: "Many people in Ealing will be affected by this, but a lot of people don't realise they are going to get the noise pollution.

"We have spoken to a lot of people today who have said they work at Heathrow or someone in their family works at Heathrow and they are worried that person will lose their job if the third runway doesn't go ahead.

"In Hillingdon they've got a more physical threat where the issue is the demolition of a whole village.

"But it is going to have a serious effect on this borough as well."

Councillor Jon Ball, (Lib, Ealing Common), said: "People are more aware of pollution these days and are more knowledgeable about air pollution issues.

"This is an issue that a lot of people have concerns about. We have already got the A4, A40 and M4 jammed and that is going to get worse.

"We've got some 500 or more signatures for this already."

The third runway, which would extend 2,000 metres into Hillingdon, is currently being considered by the Government. If it goes ahead it will mean the destruction of the villages of Sipson and Harmondsworth as well as several historic sites and a large amount of green belt land.

To sign the petition follow the link on the Ealing liberal Democrats website at www.ealinglibdems.org.uk

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