Commenting on the Government’s announcement on Heathrow Airport’s third runway, Leader of Hounslow Conservatives Councillor Peter Thompson said:
“The Conservative Group of Hounslow Councillors are very disappointed with the Government’s decision to support the construction of a third runway at Heathrow Airport. This will not benefit local residents nor is in it the best long term solution for the country as a whole.
Conservative Councillors are proud to have consistently supported the “better not bigger” campaign for Heathrow. Unlike Labour Party, we never wavered in our opposition to the expansion of Heathrow and to the extension of night flights. An expanded Heathrow will place unbearable burdens on the existing local infrastructure, and drive the already unacceptable levels of air pollution even higher.
Many residents will feel betrayed by Labour run Hounslow Council. As recently as 2014 Labour Councillors were elected on an a pledge not to support the expansion of Heathrow Airport. However they backtracked on their election promises and have failed to campaign vigorously against the proposals for a third runway.
There are a number of options open to those who remain firmly opposed to the new runway. The Conservative Group favours the idea of holding a local referendum on the issue similar to the ones already carried out by neighbouring Richmond and Hillingdon Borough Councils. Residents in both Boroughs voted overwhelmingly “no” to any further expansion of the airport. We believe that Hounslow residents will also oppose a third runway particularly as many believe it will almost immediately be followed by calls for a fourth runway.
Hounslow Conservative Councillors will therefore soon be announcing detailed plans for a Borough-wide local referendum on the third runway.”