Heathrow airport began in 1943 when it was decided that the Heathrow site should be developed to become London’s post-war civilian airport.
\nThe first passenger flight took off in 1946\u2026 and 2008 nearly 70 million passengers were travelling to and from Heathrow annually
\nToday Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world
\nIn 2008 a fifth terminal was opened in Heathrow, known as T5
\nA huge amount of conflict and controversy has surrounded T5 and a public enquiry lasting from May 1995 to March 1999 was held before the decision to go ahead was finally made<\/p>\n
http:\/\/newsvote.bbc.co.uk\/1\/hi\/uk\/7819699.stm- excellent website you can use – especially for attitudes to the new runway<\/p>\n
Third runway<\/p>\n
The fear of those who opposed T5 in the 1990s that it would be only the beginning of an airport expansion programme was proved right when the Labour government decided to back BAA\u2019s proposal of a 3rd runway
\nThe third runway, together with a new terminal would mean 700 properties, including a whole village, would have to be destroyed!
\nProposed 3rd runway location
\nPicture
\nAttitudes to the 3rd runway proposal
\nMany different groups of people were involved in this conflict including:<\/p>\n
For<\/p>\n
\u2022 BAA (the ones who proposed the expansion)
\n \u2022 More revenue streams coming in to cope with rising costs. Increasing ability to compete with the biggest airport operators in the world
\n\u2022 The Labour party (in power at the time)
\n \u2022 Bring in more revenue for the country \u2013 business and tourism. Keep Heathrow as Europe\u2019s main international hub
\n\u2022 Influential British industries e.g. The Confederation of British Industry, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic
\n \u2022 Bring in more business \u2013 easier to fly goods in\/out and bring in products involved in manufacture<\/p>\n
Against<\/p>\n
\u2022 The Conservative and Lib Dem parties
\n \u2022 Opposing it as a vote winner (Conservatives now back an amended plan)
\n\u2022 Local residents e.g. from the village of Sipson
\n \u2022 Loss of homes in the village. Increase noise and vibration disruption underneath the flightpath
\n\u2022 Environmental groups e.g. Greenpeace
\n \u2022 Increase of CO2 levels leading to more global warming, removal of green\/open space
\n\u2022 Campaign groups e.g. HACAN and NoTRAG
\n \u2022 Backing up of the villagers
\nBasic summary of reasons supporting and opposing the expansion<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"