South East: Slough welcomes Heathrow decision
Slough Borough Council has welcomed the findings of the Davies Commission’s report on airport capacity which recommends expansion at Heathrow Airport.
Councillor Rob Anderson, leader of Slough Borough Council, said: “We are delighted with the Davies Commission’s decision, which we believe secures the long-term prosperity of Slough.
“We are also pleased with endorsement of the north-west runway option, which we believe will have less impact on residents, homes and the environment in the east of the borough.
“We will be building on our strong partnership with Heathrow to secure benefits for the people of the borough and ensure mitigation for residents and businesses affected by the expansion.”
Ruth Bagley, chief executive of Slough Borough Council, said: “Slough has a strong economy largely because of its accessibility to global markets via Heathrow.
“Our proximity to the airport is one of the main reasons why we have the highest concentration of European and UK headquarters in the country and why our prospects for inward investment are so positive.
“And Heathrow is the source of more 6,000 jobs for Slough residents on the airport and its support businesses. We estimate a further 12,000-plus Slough residents have jobs in local businesses as a direct result of our proximity to Heathrow.”
She added: “I am delighted to see that Davies endorses the need for a western rail access to Heathrow - a project which the council has played a significant role in progressing to design stage.”
Slough has been working with Heathrow to agree a suitable mitigation package for the borough and its residents.
Some of the mitigation already agreed includes:
• the council and Heathrow establishing a partnership and working together to resolve airport-related issues – the work of this partnership to be funded by Heathrow to the tune of £100,000 per year for 15 years
• apprenticeships, training or employment for all Slough’s young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) on a permanent basis
• tailored noise mitigation packages for any property experiencing more than 60db
• £3,000 worth of noise insulation works for any property experiencing more than 55db
• generous noise mitigation packages for affected local schools
• new air quality monitoring station
• specific support for communities closest to the airport, including Colnbrook
• support of the council’s commitment to sending zero rubbish to landfill – in the event of down time, or relocation of the Colnbrook energy from waste plant
• studies on improving public transport access to the airport, including 24-hour bus services and measures to promote cycling and improve cycle routes
• potential of new council homes in areas where the airport has purchased housing affected by expansion
• measures to ensure good management of homes affected the airport’s ‘offer to buy’ scheme
The council submitted a response to the commission in February clearly favouring expansion at Heathrow over Gatwick.
In the council’s submission, Slough specified Heathrow Airport’s new north-west runway proposal as the preferred option.
The council also highlighted the impacts on Slough of each option for expansion at Heathrow, suggested mitigation, and gave views on how the proposals could be refined and improved.
