Department of Transport criticized for 'consultation' farce
We reported last month that the Department of Transport were criticized for not holding any publicity events for the planned Heathrow expansion in Ealing Borough.
After much criticism of the DfT from various quarters, including Liza Ctori, of the Environmental Health and Trading Standards Team at Ealing Council, meetings have been arranged by HACAN ClearSkies (Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise), NOTRAG, (No Third Runway Action Group) and 2M (local authorities) as alternatives to the government’s proposals for expansion at Heathrow.
HACAN is holding a public meeting on:
Tuesday 15th January 7.30pm
St Michael’s and All Angels Parish Hall, Bath Road. Chiswick W4 1TX
The other meetings are as follows:
Mon 14 Jan 10am – 8pm
The Brompton Room, Sheraton Heathrow, Colnbrook bypass, W. Drayton UB7 0HJ (Gvt exhibit same hotel)
Wed 16 Jan 10am – 8pm
Holiday Inn, Brentford Lock, Brentford
(Gvt exhibit same hotel)
Fri 18 Jan 10am – 8pm
Adult Community College Richmond, Queen Charlotte Hall, Parkshott, Richmond (Gvt exhibit same venue)
Tuesday 22nd January West Ealing Neighbours has organised a public meeting on at St James Church, St James Ave, West Ealing which will include a debate about the proposed new runway. "It is our second Annual General Meeting and we have Lord Clive Soley (chair of Future Heathrow) and a member of HACAN ClearSkies to speak for and against the new runway followed by a Q&A/debate. We also have Ealing North MP Steve Pound talking about how residents groups can work effectively with their local MP. The meeting starts at 7.30pm and all are welcome. There will be more details soon on our website at www.westealingneighbours.org.uk"
6th Feb 2008, Greenford Hall, 7pm
11th Feb, St Mary's Hall, King St, Acton, 7pm
Ms Ctori told us: "The two proposals - for a third runway and for mixed mode operations at Heathrow would both affect Acton residents in terms of noise exposure.
"South Acton/Chiswick residents will be disturbed by planes landing on the 3rd runway (operational from 2020), and the rest of Acton will be affected by a proposed new departure flightpath from the existing runways (when there are easterly winds - these occur approx 25% of the time) as soon as 2010."
In its consultation roadshow on Heathrow expansion, the government says "it is right that all voices are heard in the debate."
Nic Ferriday, spokesperson for West London Friends of the Earth said "This statement is disingenuous. Community groups tried to hand out leaflets inviting the public to visit their 'alternative exhibition' in West Drayton on 10th Dec. But they were stopped by DfT officials."
"Community groups asked to hire a room on 12th Dec in the same hotel as the DfT one - the Sheraton Skyline. They were refused. There were even police outside the Sheraton Skyline for the DfT roadshow. It is obvious that the last thing the government wants is for all voices to be heard."
January 31, 2008
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