London boroughs attack 'reckless gamble' Heathrow expansion

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A group of London boroughs have claimed that the proposed Heathrow expansion is a gamble that offers no guarantee of opening up new routes to high-risk, high-reward destinations such as China.

Noise pollution, traffic problems and environmental concerns have long been issues raised in opposition to the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport, but a group of London boroughs are now questioning whether the expansion will even achieve one of its key goals if it goes ahead.

Ten councils have united to query whether there will be any guarantee that the expansion would be used to launch new routes to high-risk, high-reward destinations such as China, the Financial Times reported.

A 2011 study commissioned by Heathrow Ltd claimed that the country stands to lose £14 billion in trade with emerging markets over the next decade due to airport constraints.

However, the ten councils - which were part of the 2M campaign group opposed to a previous expansion plan for the airport - have claimed that the third runway could be used by airlines to increase flights to current destinations, which are more profitable for them.

Hounslow council leader Jagdish Sharma told the newspaper that while improvements are needed at UK airports, expansion is not necessarily the only route that should be explored.

"Heathrow is a vital part of our local economy but it needs to be better, not bigger. If the airport grows, the burden for our communities of noise and pollution and pressure on the local road network becomes worse and it is already intolerable," the local authority representative explained.

Meanwhile, Thomson and First Choice have revealed that they will be running a new route to Phuket, Thailand from London Gatwick from next November.

The good news for London residents keeping an eye on noise monitors is that the firms will be using new Dreamliner aircraft, which are reportedly 60 per cent quieter and 20 per cent more fuel efficient than similar-sized planes.

To view Frontline Safety's full range of Noise Monitoring Equipment including the Casella CEL-633 Sound Level Meter please click here or visit our website at www.frontline-safety.co.uk

Posted by Chris Malone