Hillingdon Council is urging the government to provide sustained funding and engagement to protect its communities and council services from the impact of Heathrow expansion proposals.
The council strongly opposes the plans for a third runway and associated infrastructure due to the devastating effects on the borough’s homes, businesses, and environment. A motion agreed upon at the Full Council meeting last Thursday set out the council’s requirements, calling for the government to recognise the exceptional burden created by running two concurrent Heathrow expansion planning processes.
The council is seeking guarantees for long-term funding to enable the protection of residents without detriment to council services, as well as full funding to assess and challenge the impacts of the proposals. It also demands that, if expansion proceeds, Hillingdon is fully resourced to secure protections and mitigation measures for residents, businesses, and the environment. The council is also asking for open and transparent engagement with affected residents and communities throughout the decision-making process.
Cllr Tuckwell will write to the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Transport, and the Mayor of London to seek assurances that residents’ interests will be safeguarded.
Cllr Tuckwell said: “Our opposition to Heathrow expansion has never wavered. We have always stood with our residents, and we will do so again.
“We will hold decision makers to account. If the government chooses to pursue expansion plans in any form, it must also accept responsibility for ensuring that we have adequate resources, and should not, under any circumstances, expect our residents to shoulder the costs, through council tax or increased pressure on council services.
“The government’s current approach is causing increased anxiety and confusion for many thousands of people who are fearful of the future, so we want greater transparency and meaningful engagement from all parties involved, throughout every stage of the process.”
The council is working in partnership with neighbouring authorities, local communities, and partner organisations to oppose the current Heathrow expansion proposals.
Residents are encouraged to participate in the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS) consultation by completing the survey at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/heathrow-expansion before 1 September.
