Protecting Richmond Park from new flight paths

Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM moved, and Hina Bokhari seconded the following motion:

“This Assembly notes that Heathrow recently uploaded its Stage 2 results onto the portal of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and is seeking CAA Gateway approval to proceed to Stage 3 of its Airspace Modernisation plans. All airports across the UK are currently going through this process.

This Assembly notes that as part of the CAP 1616 “Airspace Design: Guidance on the regulatory process for changing airspace design including community engagement requirements”, a Status Quo / Do Minimum option has to be provided and that other airports, such as Manchester Airport, included such a Status Quo / Do Minimum option in their submission.

This Assembly notes with concern that Heathrow Airport did not include a Status Quo / Do Minimum option in its submission.

This Assembly notes with additional concern that Heathrow has chosen to include numerous flight path options that would clearly impact Richmond Park profoundly in its shortlist to be carried forward to Stage 3. This is in contradiction with CAP 1616, as Heathrow had identified Richmond Park as a specific area that should be avoided by low flying aircraft where possible. The impact that around 60,000 aircraft flying only 1500-2000 feet above Richmond Park would have on the area’s tranquillity and biodiversity is substantial due to the expected significant increases of noise and air pollution.

This Assembly notes with additional concern that more Londoners will be impacted by noise pollution from the Airport under the current proposals put forward by Heathrow due to the significant increase in potential fly paths.

This Assembly calls on the CAA to reject the Heathrow Stage 2 Plan.

This Assembly also calls on Heathrow to go back to the drawing board and bring  forward proposals that include a Status Quo / Do Minimum option and that protect Richmond Park and London’s communities from increased flight paths.”

Following debate and upon being put to a vote, the motion, in the name of Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, was agreed unanimously.