Extend Heathrow deadline call

Councils fighting plans for Heathrow expansion have called on the Government to extend its consultation beyond the end of February.

The call came after 2M leaders wrung an assurance from transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick that he would send out copies of his department's consultation document to residents excluded from the first distribution.

Many residents in parts of Hammersmith and Fulham and Wandsworth have not received any information about the plans for a third runway and all-day flights.

Even in Hounslow, which is right next to the airport, not all households were sent a copy.

Speaking on behalf of the 2M Group, Hounslow Council's cabinet member for aviation Barbara Reid said:

"The minister conceded that Heathrow expansion was a matter that would concern all Londoners. He agreed that people outside the immediate area should be able to comment on the proposals.

"Following pressure from the 2M Group he agreed to order a fresh distribution of consultation material to any postcodes that had been overlooked.

"This could run to tens of thousands of people as communities in all parts of the capital realise that they are entitled to be included in the consultation.

"The Government allowed only the minimum three months for consultation. As things stand it will close on February 27. That is simply not long enough for a consultation of this complexity - especially when the Plain English Campaign has described the wording as 'atrocious.'

"With so many people about to receive this information for the first time it is only fair that the consultation deadline be extended - at least for another two months."

The minister also confirmed that Transport Department ministers would not be attending any of the public meetings being staged by councils and campaign groups across south and west London.He said that attendance at the meetings 'would not bring extra information to light.'

Mr Fitzpatrick was also pressed on whether he would order an independent study of the claimed economic benefits of expansion. He said that the current assessment would be externally reviewed but declined to provide information to the boroughs on how this process would be conducted.

Hammersmith and Fulham leader Stephen Greenhalgh added:

"Many people think the Government has rigged the consultation to give it the answers it wants. The mainstay of its case is the economic argument which is based largely on material provided by the aviation industry. If they are now going to subject this to external scrutiny it is vital that this is done openly and the local authorities fully involved."

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