Sir Howard’s fudged answers on night flights give Heathrow scope to ignore bits of the report they don’t like
Posted by GLA Conservatives in Opinion
Sir Howard Davies' report calls for a third runway at Heathrow to be mitigated by 13 measures such as banning night flights to a noise limit. Today, I asked him whether he'd still back the third runway if these conditions were not met. Unfortunately, he seemed to fudge his answers when it came to night flights, suggesting some measures are absolute requirements and others would be nice. This gives Heathrow ample scope to ignore the bits of the report they don't like. A third runway would be a huge mistake for London. Sir Howard needs to come clean on which parts of his report are absolute requirements. I'd like a point-by-point explanation.
Heathrow is the wrong choice
Heathrow is the wrong choice and shows the commission was a waste of time and money. It won’t be long before that runway is also at capacity. Soon we’ll have our 4 runways, then 6, but in parts of London that won’t work in sync. The Government now has no choice but to go back to the drawing board. Aviation needs a fresh start in the Capital with a bit of Victorian-style forethought. Instead of a confusing mishmash of runways and half-solutions scattered across the map, let’s get going on a coordinated, common-sense solution fit for the future.
Government should pull the plug on failed £20m Davies Commission
London needs a globally competitive hub airport. In ruling out the Thames Estuary plans, the Davies Commission has just ruled out the only remaining option that fits the bill. In reality it is the Commission itself that should be scrapped. Building a new runway at Gatwick will simply just mean a bigger Gatwick. A third runway at Heathrow would cause misery for millions of Londoners without solving the problem. The Davies Commission, with a budget of £20m, is heading down a blind alley, whilst wasting time and taxpayer cash. The Government must pull the plug and adopt the Mayor of London’s Estuary airport solution.
Londoners trialling third Heathrow runway noise a ‘possibility’
“Hiring and flying empty planes over London will give residents experience of nightmare night flight noise”
Sir Howard Davies, Chairman of the Airports Commission, says it could be possible to trial a third runway at Heathrow – by hiring and flying empty aircraft so residents can experience the noise for themselves.
This was in response to questioning by Conservative London Assembly Member, Kit Malthouse.
Tony Arbour: Oppose any increase in flights at Heathrow
This week, my Conservative colleagues and I voted against a poorly drafted motion in the London Assembly. Although the motion aimed to oppose a larger Heathrow, the way it was written was unclear, opening the door for the introduction of mixed mode at Heathrow, increasing flights and noise for millions of Londoners. As a result, I tabled an amendment asking for the Assembly to “categorically state its opposition to any additional flights from Heathrow”.
Unfortunately, although the Greens backed us, my Labour and Lib Dem counterparts on the Assembly refused to support it. Let me be clear, I, and my Conservative colleagues, are unequivocally opposed to any increase in flights at Heathrow, and we will not consider any concession to those who would further increase the noise and disruption that the airport brings to millions of Londoners.
Tony Arbour discusses London's choice with Heathrow Third Runway Referendums
Tony Arbour AM, the London Assembly Member for South West London, has called on Mayor Boris Johnson to support Heathrow Third Runway Referendums. AM Arbour was given Mayor Boris Johnsons support at the September 19th 2012 Mayors Question Time of referendums in every London borough on whether a 3rd runway should be built at Heathrow.
Richmond Council has already announced their intention to hold a referendum and the Mayor made clear that he supported this approach.
Commenting Tony Arbour said: “It is crucial that the Government understands the strength of opposition to allowing Heathrow Airport to build a 3rd runway. I am delighted that the Mayor backed the approach of London boroughs holding referendums on this subject and I’m sure Londoners will be unsurprised to learn that the Mayor confirmed that he would vote ‘No’.”
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June 2012 MQT Summary
Today the GLA Conservative Assembly Members Questioned the Mayor on a range of questions from Suburban Rail to Heathrow Expansion. The Mayor agreed with our Members on a great deal of issues, but also this gave our Members a chance to expand London's and their own knowledge of these topics.
This is a MQT Summary in progress as it takes a couple of days for everything to be compiled so check back often or follow the Assembly_Tories on twitter for the latest updates.
Richard Tracey questions Mayor over Suburban Rail control
Richard Tracey AM, GLA Conservative Transport spokesman, today (13 June) pushed the Mayor to renew his efforts to lobby the Government regarding control of the overland rail network. Asking a question at the Mayor's Question Time, Richard asked Boris Johnson to instruct Transport for London to flesh out what a suburban rail network run by City Hall would look like.
Richard said:
"Many commuters who have no other option than to use the overland train routes face a less than satisfactory service. This was demonstrated over the Jubilee weekend when many train operators failed to put on extra services which caused chaos on the network. I fully support the desire of the Mayor to have a stake in the commuter rail lines, so he can make them work for Londoners. He now needs to ensure that Transport for London put forward a clear vision of what timetables will look like, and what improvements may be implemented if the Mayor had control. This would go some way to building support for a TfL run service"
Related Tweets from Assembly_Tories
https://twitter.com/Assembly_Tories/status/212874257716346880
June's Mayor's Question Time – Question List
On 13th June 2012, the London Assembly will hold it’s monthly Mayor’s Question Time. Assembly Members from all parties will pose question’s to Boris Johnson regarding matters that are important to Londoners.
Below are the oral questions tabled by the GLA Conservative Group.
Crime Reduction on Public Transport
Question No: 1534 / 2012
Steve O’Connell
Why is crime on London’s transport network at an 8 year low?
Steve will question the Mayor on his successful fight against crime on the Tube and bus network which has led to a significant drop in crime on these modes of transport.
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Mayors Question Time Priority Questions – May 2012
Tomorrow morning, 23rd May 2012, members of the London Assembly will question the Mayor of London Boris Johnson on issues relating to his role. This is the first Mayor’s Question Time since the election.
PRIORITY QUESTIONS TABLED BY CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS
Driverless Tube Trains
Question No: 1119 / 2012
Richard Tracey
In the light of Londoners recent endorsement of your policies, will you push ahead with the introduction of driverless trains on the Tube as quickly as possible?
Richard will push the Mayor on the timetable for converting the Underground to a driverless system. Richard authored a report advocating the change over to a driverless system which was subsequently adopted as policy by the Mayor.
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- More than 5,000 ppl signed the petition calling fr changes to the current CR2 proposals @KemiBadenoch @WimbledonNews https://t.co/JraHnbumBd
- .@KemiBadenoch receives a petition from @WimbledonNews and local residents opposing Crossrail 2 proposals https://t.co/NxaZBxwhrI
- .@SteveO_Connell says TfL's financial commitment 'is a sign that this plan is being taken seriously' https://t.co/EQf2Sfzlmb
