London Assembly takes a stand against Heathrow night flights
The London Assembly today sent a clear message that they are totally opposed to any attempt to allow night flights during the 2012 Olympic Games or at any other time.
A unanimously agreed motion urged Mayor Boris Johnson to write jointly with the Chair of the London Assembly to the Secretary of State for Transport and his relevant counterparts in the opposition parties to express their concerns.
Caroline Pidgeon AM, who amended the motion, said: "Many more Londoners than you might expect are affected by night flights. For example recent research from HACAN suggests that half of the top 12 boroughs affected by night noise are in east or south London.
“If night flights are allowed for the Olympics, it could set the precedent for the future. This motion sends a clear message that the London Assembly is against the derestriction of night flights and relaxation of noise controls.”
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat Assembly Transport spokesperson, commenting on the expected decision by Ministers to approve plans to build a third runway at Heathrow airport, said:
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson on the London Assembly, joined local MPs Susan Kramer and Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat council leaders from across London, and thousands of other campaigners at a protest rally in West London against the planned expansion at Heathrow airport.
All the Liberal Democrat-controlled councils in London have backed the 2 Million Voices campaign, asking the government to review the environmental consequences of plans for a third runway at Heathrow.