A SURVEY of more than 1,200 borough residents, commissioned by Ealing Council, shows a large majority in favour of a new runway at Heathrow.

This is despite the council voting to oppose the scheme at a meeting in December.

The survey results were welcomed by Parmjit Dhanda, Executive Director of Back Heathrow, the campaign group backing a new runway.

He said: “In February, a residents’ survey in Hounslow showed a 15% rise in support for Heathrow expansion, to 59%. Now Ealing Council has confirmed this pattern of rising support, with 69% of residents backing expansion.

“Ealing Council is right to ensure that air quality is protected and noise minimised as part of this scheme, but this is a clear message from local people that the council should now wholeheartedly back the scheme.”

In a vote in the Commons in June 2018, two of the three Ealing MPs (Steve Pound and Virendra Sharma) backed expansion in a majority of 296.

Mr Dhanda added: “With this new information, I hope Ealing Council will reconsider its formal position of opposition through a debate and free vote at a future council meeting.”

Cllr Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: “Now the Government has pushed through plans for a third runway, we will keep its feet to the fire on its compensation and environmental promises.

“I want guarantees that Ealing residents will be eligible for a substantial portion of the compensation package announced.

“On top of this, we are demanding a £150m package of extra measures from Heathrow, specifically for the borough of Ealing to reduce the local impact of the third runway, including environmental, transport and local economic packages.

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“Beyond this, we are seeking strategic transport improvements, including a new rail link from Waterloo and the extension of HS2 to the airport.

“Further, there must be a complete ban on night flights to and from an expanded Heathrow, except in emergencies, so that our residents can enjoy undisturbed sleep.
“We know many of our residents rely on Heathrow for their employment, either directly or indirectly, and we welcome the economic benefits and jobs it brings.

“However, there must be a balance between the economic benefits and the very real noise and environmental impact of expansion on people who live near the airport.”

Rob Barnstone, Co-ordinator of the No 3rd Runway Coalition, said: “Heathrow expansion means the whole of Ealing borough is set to become noise sewers.

"In Heathrow’s most recent consultation, plans for future flight paths cover the entirety of the borough: Acton, Greenford, Southall, Hanger Lane, Perivale, all set to experience plane noise every 45 seconds for the first time, as well as even more flights in currently overflown areas such as Chiswick, Hanwell, West Ealing and central Ealing.

“The problem is that many residents do not realise this as yet. When we approach people in areas not currently overflown, we find they are shocked to hear the likelihood of their homes being under a new third runway flight path."

The full Ealing council survey results can be found here: http://bit.ly/2HV2tZV