Lords launch for air travel alliance

1.56.56pm GMT Tue 27th Feb 2007

A new alliance of 12 boroughs, including Richmond upon Thames, formed to combat the growth of Heathrow Airport, was formally launched at the House of Lords on Monday, 26 February.

The 2M group aims to present a common voice for the 2 million residents affected by the Government's policy of expansion at Heathrow. It will lobby the government over noise and carbon emissions and highlight the huge impact continued growth would have on residents living under the flight path. The launch was hosted by Lord Hanningfield, Shadow Minister for Local Government and Transport and attended by Liberal Democrat transport spokesman, Lord Bradshaw. Earlier this month the group was given permission to launch a judicial review in a bid to overturn the current night flights regime at the airport.

Leader of Richmond Council, Cllr Serge Lourie, said:??"We formed this group to give a voice to the 2 million people affected by the Government's policy of uncontrolled expansion at Heathrow. We are a cross-party group representing all the local authorities directly affected by Heathrow - from West London to Berkshire and from South London to South Bucks. We are not anti-Heathrow - but we are concerned that the Government consistently understates the environmental impact of growth while cynically overplaying the benefits to the economy. Over the coming months we can expect a succession of Government announcements that will each add to the numbers of flights using the airport. In time this could lead to a 50 per cent increase in flight numbers which in turn can only mean more noise and worsening air quality. It is our duty as local authorities to raise awareness of these threats to our residents' quality of life and ensure we are ready to challenge the proposals when they emerge."

In addition to Richmond upon Thames, the 2M Group includes Hammersmith & Fulham, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington & Chelsea and Wandsworth. For more information visit the website at www.2mgroup.org.uk