Heathrow consultation response analysis published

21st January, 2009

Summary

The DfT has published a 208-page report on responses to the Heathrow Consultation.

The public overwhelmingly said No to Heathrow expansion during the Government consultation held last year. Of the nearly 70,000 responses to the consultation held only a little over 8,000 wanted any form of expansion. There were 306 responses from aviation and airline companies but only a total of 241 from all other businesses.

Noise and air pollution were the biggest concerns, with nearly half the people responding expressing worries about these issues.

There were 306 responses from aviation and airline companies but only a total of 241 from all other businesses. The small number of response from non-aviation businesses strongly suggests that the claims about the business benefits and national economic imperative for Heathrow expansion (based on business as opposed to leisure) do not convince British business.

The London borough of Hillingdon topped the poll for the number of polls and petitions sent in.

Further detail:

There were 69,377 responses (plus 1,991 that were late and therefore not analysed).

There was no single YES or NO question. However:

– only 8128 wanted any form of expansion

– 33667 raised noise issues

– 37017 raised pollution issues

– 12937 raised increased CO2 issues

– 16257 were concerned about community displacement

– 9638 questioned the consultation process

There were 306 responses from aviation and airline companies, but only another 241 responses from businesses

Totals for responses (postcards, petitions etc) generated by campaign groups are given:

London Boro of Hillingdon 14994

Greenpeace 6698

London Boro of Wandsworth 4589

London Boro of Hamm and Fulham 4270

NoTRAG 4051

Future Heathrow 3769

British Airways 1494

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