Tales from the Country

Tony Francis investigates the threat that the expansion of Heathrow Airport poses to Harmondsworth, Longford and Sipson, and the blight of local residents .

Tales from the Country - Part One





Tales from the Country - Part Two

Water companies lift hosepipe ban

Four water firms in the south east of England are lifting their hosepipe bans after months of above average rainfall.

Thames Water, Southern Water, Three Valleys Water and Sutton and East Surrey Water have lifted the ban, which affected more than 13m customers .

The restrictions were introduced last year and in 2005 following record dry winters for two consecutive years .

Thames Water said heavy downpours over the past four months had raised groundwater levels which are expected to become normal by February levitra online.

Despite the lifting of the hosepipe and sprinkler bans, all four companies are urging customers to keep aware of how much water they are using .

Fogging the Heathrow runway issue

Campaigners have slammed the idea that the proposed third runway at Heathrow would help to overcome the havoc the fog caused recently avodart.

They have pointed to a discrepancy in the way in which airport traffic is measured, with John Stewart, Chair of HACAN ClearSkies, rejecting the argument, that because Heathrow has only two runways, London was losing out to other European cities.

Geraldine Nicholson, chair of the No Third Runway Action Group, said: "Talk of a third runway is clouding the issue.

"Are people really saying that thousands of people should be evicted from the homes and billions of pounds spent on building a new runway just to cater for a handful of foggy days?"

Mr Stewart believes the correct way to measure whether Heathrow needed to be expanded, in order to remain competitive, is by comparing all the airports that serve a city. In London's case, that would mean Gatwick, Stanstead, Luton, London City as well as Heathrow.

Mr Stewart, said: "The figures show London's airports are way ahead of their rivals in terms of passenger use.

"In 2004, 128 million passengers used London's airports, more than any other city in the world.

"Paris, London's closest European rival, was in fifth place with 73 million passengers. Frankfurt and Amsterdam were out of the top ten with 51 and 45 million passengers respectively.

Whatsmore, in the preceding 10 years, London actually increased its lead over both Paris and Frankfurt."

Christine Shilling, press officer for No Third Runway Action Group, added: "I can't see how a third runway would really help anyway in the fog. The logic of demanding a third runway to cope with fog is like the AA encouraging more of us on the roads because it's foggy."

Third Runway Consultation in 2007

The following snippet was found in the Winter 2006 issue of Heathrow Inform, the community newsletter sent out by BAA.

The Government have confirmed that a single consultation, covering all proposals for a possible third runway or mixed mode (ending runway alternation) will take place in 2007.

Studies on the environmental impacts of the plans will not be completed for some months and the Government wish to have a full understanding of these before inviting public responses,

More information will be available from the Department for Transport when dates for the consultation are finalised.

BA grounds all domestic flights

Due to persistent fog all over the south east of England yesterday, British Airways grounded all domestic flights out of Heathrow Airport.

BA and other airlines cancelled more than 180 flights to and from Heathrow on Wednesday.

BA said it plans to run about 220 shorthaul flights to and from London Heathrow on Thursday, out of a normal daily total of 400 shorthaul and domestic flights.

The BBC Weather Centre says the poor conditions are set to continue for the next few days when many people will be travelling for the festive break.

The Residents' Association were contacted by BAA to warn that the airport has received permission to continue air operations through the night periods while the fog continues to assist in clearing the backlog of flights. This will therefore mean that the usual restriction on the number of night flights will be exceeded while the weather remains foggy.

Airport expansion plans confirmed

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to airport expansion plans despite opposition from green groups.

Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander told MPs the government was committed to a third, short runway at Heathrow airport and a new runway at Stansted.

The "progress report" on the 2003 Aviation White Paper has angered environmentalists, who want a curb on flights and expansion.

The Tories said Labour's air policy clashed with its climate change stance.

Campaign group HACAN ClearSkies said it would continue to fight against Heathrow's expansion, with chairman John Stewart saying 700 homes would have to be demolished, while 150,000 more people would be under the flight path for the new runway.


A group formed by seven London boroughs and four authorities outside London, representing two million people living under the flight path, called for a "far-reaching, independent study which includes the full environmental cost of aviation and looks at the impact of spending on flights on the wider economy."

This week, the Office of Fair Trading said it was recommending the Competition Commission hold a full inquiry into airport ownership - a move threatening BAA's ownership of Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports.

Friends of the Earth's aviation campaigner Richard Dyer said: "The anticipated growth in air travel threatens to destroy government plans to tackle climate change."

Heathrow: 'Let battle commence'

Heathrow campaigners vowed there would be "the mother of all battles" if the Government goes ahead with plans for a third runway at Heathrow.

In the Progress Report on the 2003 Aviation White, published today (Thursday), the Government restated its view that it favoured a third runway at Heathrow if air pollution levels in the area could be kept within the legal limits set by the European Union.

But the introduction of a third runway would mean that at least 700 homes in Hillingdon would be lost and historic villages wrecked forever. Overall it is expected that the quality of life for more than two million people will be irreparably damaged if the Government goes ahead with its plan for a third runway.

Leader of Hillingdon Council, Cllr Ray Puddifoot, said: "The detrimental effects of a third runway at Heathrow are immense. Our residents already deal with the environmental impacts of having Heathrow on their doorstep, for example pollution levels in the villages around the airport currently exceed EU guidelines.

"We appreciate that the airport is a large regional employer and has international status but if you include the environmental costs of aviation, the 'economic benefit' soon turns to deficit. The Government needs to play fair by the two million people in the communities affected by aircraft noise and pollution."

Runway protest set to roar

People in Acton could have more sleepless nights with up to 500 more flights a day planned for a new runway at Heathrow.

The runway is likely to get the go-ahead after reports stating the the Government is endorsing the proposals. But Acton residents living under the flight path could suffer due to the huge increase in air traffic.

The move to increase the number of daily flights by 500 comes after the Eddington Report recommended greater expansion in London's airports in order to maintain growth and keep London as the "premier financial centre" of Europe.

It is thought the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, will oppose the move, arguing the economic benefit does not outweigh the harm caused to the environment - a position the Government appears to disagree with.

BAA Airport Assets Face Possible Breakup

Grupo Ferrovial SA's BAA unit, the world's biggest airport operator, faces a possible breakup by the U.K.'s antitrust regulator after airlines complained about fee increases and a lack of competition.

BAA, the owner of London's Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports, handles 90 percent of airline passengers in southeast England and 80 percent in Scotland, the Office of Fair Trading said in a statement. BAA will be referred to the U.K. Competition Commission after the office completed an initial probe.

British Airways Plc, Ryanair Holdings Plc and EasyJet Plc have demanded the breakup of BAA, the London-based company Ferrovial bought in August for 10.1 billion pounds ($19.9 billion), citing rising charges and expansion costs. Heathrow has almost completed a 4.3 billion-pound fifth terminal, and BAA last year proposed a 2.7 billion-pound second runway at Stansted.

``There is an incentive for them to blow billions building over-specified airport facilities'' to maximize returns on investments, Ryanair Chief Executive Officer Michael O'Leary said in an interview today. ``What we need is much more efficient investment, building airport facilities that the airlines and their users want, at a much lower cost'' than in the past.

'Malicious speculation' over Heathrow expansion

Rumours that it would be possible to expand Heathrow without compromising pollution levels have been branded malicious speculation by the aviation industry, according to Hounslow Council.

Hounslow's Leader, Cllr Peter Thompson, added: "You don't have to be a scientist to realise that more planes means more pollution. It is highly irresponsible to be considering further expansion at Heathrow when local residents are already experiencing levels of air pollution that exceed EU limits.

"Hounslow residents will not tolerate any more expansion. The Government's insistence that Heathrow can only be an economic success if it is allowed to expand indefinitely is short-sighted and irresponsible.

"We neither want nor need a Third Runway at Heathrow. It's time the Government focused its energies on making Heathrow both an economic success and a responsible neighbour."

The Eddington Report

The Government has today issued the Eddington Report which it commissioned the ex-chief Executive of British Airways to produce looking at transport infrastructure in the UK.

The release of the document is covered in this BBC report which also provides links to the actual report itself.

Whilst the main headlines are predictably about road-pricing (Isn't that what the tax on fuel is? The more you use, the more you pay?), what is of interest to the people in this part of the UK is what he says about aviation.

Unsurprisingly, as the former boss at BA, he doesn't think that aviation is much of a problem in the UK, contributing only (he says) about 1.2% of carbon emissions for journeys within the country. He uses this figure to argue against the building of any new dedicated high-speed rail lines across the country or up to Scotland.

In a follow-up article, this BBC report takes a look at what some experts have to say about the Eddington Report.

A spokesperson for the campaigning group, Transport 2000, said,

"We need a growing railway, and while we might not need a high speed line, we will need big increases in capacity to cater for increased use with road pricing and new development.

By 2050, aviation will account for 46% of UK carbon emissions, and the Eddington report makes it clear that a lot of the airport expansion supported by the government is not essential to the economy. We need a rethink."

Tony Bosworth, the senior transport campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said,

"This review sends mixed messages about the role of transport policy in tackling climate change.
We welcome Sir Rod's acknowledgment that large-scale road-building is not the answer to our transport problems, and that road-pricing and more investment in alternatives to the car are needed.

But aviation is on a collision course with UK climate targets, and airport expansion will send us in totally the wrong direction.

The government's response to this report is critical. Cutting carbon dioxide emissions must be the central theme of future transport policy."

Sign our petition against expansion of Heathrow Airport

There is now an online petition against expansion of Heathrow Airport. People can sign this petition until 29th January 2007.

At that time, the results of the petition will be presented to 10 Downing Street.

Urge your friends, your family members, your work colleagues to sign this petition. If you care about Longford village and the other 'Heathrow Villages', then this is one way to make your voice heard.

Do it - and do it today.

The petition can be found at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Heathrow/

Stansted airport expansion plan refused

Expansion plans for Stansted Airport which could boost passenger numbers have been rejected, amid objections including the effect on climate change.

Uttlesford Council turned down BAA's planning application to extend the existing runway.
The airport operator wanted to increase passenger numbers to 35m a year.

The impact of expansion on climate change and the local environment had concerned councillors. BAA said it would appeal against the decision.

Source: BBC News website dated 29th November 2006

Mutiny at Harmondsworth Detention Centre

A mutiny inside the UK's largest immigration centre has been contained, the Home Office has said.

Detainees at the 500-capacity Harmondsworth centre, just 200 metres from the north of Longford village, staged a protest about living conditions in the early hours.

Fires were started and about 50 asylum seekers spelt out "help" and "SOS" with bed sheets in the courtyard.

The Home office said the situation was contained but some of the detainees would be moved from Harmondsworth.

Source: BBC News website dated 29th November 2006

Radioactive traces on BA planes at Heathrow

Traces of a radioactive substance have been found on two British Airways planes at Heathrow Airport, says BA.

The Boeing 767s, plus a third in Moscow, are being tested as part of the probe into the death in London of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.

BA is contacting passengers who travelled on the 120 European flights affected, including the London to Moscow route.

The airline said it had been advised the risk to public health was low.

Source: BBC News website dated 29th November 2006

1 man murdered, 6 injured, in Harlington incident.

On Friday 24th November, the BBC reported that a man had died and another had been critically injured during a street fight in west London.

Officers were called to reports of a violent disturbance in Harlington High Street early on Friday morning.

The Guardian reported that Edgar Money, owner of the Harlington Tandoori, said he believed a man had broken into a cafe in the High Street at about 4am, shortly before the fight took place.
He said: "I think that about 4am a man broke into the cafe and he made himself a cup of coffee. He was there for about half an hour -, apparently he was watching cartoons. Then he came out and jumped into a car."

Mr Money said he thought the man got out of the car again further down the road. "He drove about 400 yards and then got out of the car again, that's what the police told me happened.
"That's when the fight happened. The police haven't said if the two things were linked, it's all very strange. It's chaos in the road here."

On Saturday, the BBC reported that a 30-year-old has been charged with the murder of a man following a street fight in west London. Suryakant Purushottam Patel, 60, from Southall, west London, died from head injuries on Harlington High Street on Friday morning.

Laidi Benomor, of no fixed address, has been charged with his murder, the attempted murder of a 69-year-old man and five counts of actual bodily harm. He is due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Monday. Mr Benomor, who is Tunisian-born, has also been charged with the burglary of a cafe in Harlington High Street on Friday.

Climate change test for airport plans

Wandsworth Council is backing a national campaign calling on the Government to review its plans for building extra runways in the light of growing concern about the impact of aviation on climate change.

A report published by a group representing 60 local authorities reveals that passenger growth has exceeded Government forecasts in six out of the last eight years. It says that this will mean many airports growing even faster than planned.

The discussion paper, which is produced by the aviation group SASIG, comes as the Government gets set to publish a progress report on implementation of its 2003 airports white paper.

Wandsworth Council leader Edward Lister said: "The big threat in south and west London is the Government's plans for uncontrolled expansion at Heathrow. This includes proposals to increase capacity at the two existing runways by ending runway alternation while the industry prepares for the construction of a third runway.

"For ministers to just plough on with their plans for new runways as if nothing had changed in the last three years would be a blinkered approach. The SASIG options spell out the reality of airport planning decisions - either ministers grasp the nettle and start managing growth or they sit back and allow a free-for-all in airports expansion. Either way it is a debate in which the public is entitled to have its say."

Source: 24dash.com dated 20 November 2006

BA's Willie Walsh puts greed over the environment

In what seems like the beginning of another round of pushing by the aviation industry, Willie Walsh, the new Chief Executive at British Airways, claims that green policies will hurt the economy (as if having the south east of England underwater would do it much good either!).

Unsurprisingly, in the article in The Guardian dated 14th November, he compares the aviation industry now with the London Docks of 50 years ago and predicts dire consequences if we don't add another runway to Heathrow. The comparison is not valid. Would another dock in the Pool of London have saved the docks? I think not.

I was glad to see that the article included a rebutall from Tony Bosworth, the aviation campaigner from Friends of the Earth.

"Aviation is the fastest-growing source of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK. More runways will mean more emissions at a time when we are trying to make big cuts. If the government is serious about tackling climate change it must abandon its airport expansion plans," Mr Bosworth said.

1883 map added to the Longford website

We have gratefully received permission to reproduce the following map which dates from around 1883. It shows the area around Longford to Shepperton in the south and from Mad Bridge in the West to Cranford Bridge in the East. This is a particularly interesting map as the area that Heathrow Airport currently stands on is shown in good detail.

The map is on this page: http://www.thisislongford.com/images/groom16.jpg

With thanks and appreciation to David Hale who runs the MAPCO : Map And Plan Collection Online website which can be seen at http://archivemaps.com

The Middlesex map is taken from this page.

Glass Recycling Starts 1st December 2006

From Friday 1st December 2006 residents will be able to put glass bottles and jars into their recycling bags mixed in with newspapers, magazines, plastic bottles and steel and aluminum cans.

Detailed below are answers to questions you may have about this improvement to the weekly household collection service for mixed dry recyclables :-

I thought glass collections were due to start earlier this year ?
We had hoped to be able to start earlier but as with any new technology there were a few problems that only came to light when the equipment was being installed and therefore the delays were necessary to ensure that we avoid future disruption to the service by taking more time at the start to get it right.

Do you want residents to put glass into a separate bag ?
Absolutely not! The key to our approach is that residents should mix their glass bottles and jars in with their other mixed dry recyclables which will then act as a cushion for the glass. This also means that bags would not be as heavy compared to a full bag of glass.

Some people think using plastic bags to collect glass is dangerous ?
Whilst we understand residents' concerns in practice it proves not to be a problem. If you think about it residents who do not or cannot recycle their glass bottles and jars at the moment end up putting them into their black refuse sacks mixed in with their other household wastes which cushion the glass stopping it from breaking. It will be no different with putting glass into your recycling bags.

Are there types of glass you don't want ?
Yes. We cannot accept Pyrex, or glass from windows, cars, or mirrors.

What about smashed glass bottles and jars ?
So long as residents securely wrap and / or box up their smashed glass before putting it into their recycling bags it should not be problem. We would also ask residents where possible to put boxes into their recycling bags to prevent problems being caused by boxes getting wet when it rains.

Previously concern has been expressed about the strength of the bags supplied by Hillingdon for recycling ?
Bag strength is a complicated issue. Depending the on the specific blend of the materials used to make a bag thicker does not necessarily mean stronger. However, in general terms, in response to residents concerns the bags that we are issuing from now on will be thicker to take account of the fact that residents will be recycling their glass bottles and jars. As bag technology continues to develop Waste Division officers will keep under permanent review the bags we use with a view to making further improvements.

So residents should not use their current supply of bags for recycling glass ?
No that's not what we mean. So long as residents do not overload individual bags we see no problem with using the bags that have been previously issued. The key is to keep the overall weight down by using more bags as opposed to overfilling a single bag.

Did you consider using boxes for collecting glass as in some other boroughs ?
When the Authority asked officers to look at incorporating glass into the household collection service for the mixed dry recyclables a number of key design principles were identified that created a context under which proposals were developed. This included the need to avoid single purpose collection vehicles that only have one use and which cannot easily be maintained or replaced; the need to avoid the creation of separate back office support systems; and the need to minimise disruption to residents. In looking at options to fulfil these criteria Waste Division officers visited a number of other London boroughs to look at different collection methods. Based on successful models elsewhere in the Capital the option of asking residents to put glass bottles and jars into their existing bag collection was the only one that met the criteria.

PM's vow to tackle global warming hit by plans to treble flights

This extract is from a larger article in The Independent newspaper website.

Last night, Tony Blair was facing calls to re-examine the aviation strategy in the wake of the Stern report, which warned that if the industry ploughs capital now into "high-carbon" developments, emissions cuts later on will be much more expensive.

Britain's airports are planning to treble the number of flights by 2030, despite the recent Stern report's grave warnings about the environmental effects of expanding air travel in the UK.

If Britain's 71 airports carry out their plans, carbon emissions from the industry will increased by an estimated 10 million tonnes.

Michael Meacher, Labour's environment minister at the time of the White Paper, led the calls for a rethink and revealed that he had objected to the Department for Transport policy inside government.

He said: "If you build new airports on the scale envisaged in the [Aviation] White Paper, you can kiss goodbye to the Kyoto targets. Aircraft greenhouse gases are the fastest rising of any sector - in the order of 10 per cent, and possibly treble that in 20 years. It is utterly incompatible with the requirement to deal with climate change and the Stern report makes that absolutely clear."

‘Suffer under a sky of sound’

Residents in Spelthorne and Wraysbury continue to suffer under a sky of sound' as runway alternation at Heathrow remains suspended for at least another five weeks.

Stanwell North Councillor Jack Pinkerton said: "Normally the residents can recoup but now we're getting it all day long.

"All they can do is ring and complain."

The real issue is not the temporary pause on runway alternation.

He said: "If Heathrow cannot go ahead with building a sixth terminal and a third runway then it will try to permanently scrap runway alternation to increase its air traffic capacity in the future.

Source: Wimbledon Guardian, 20th October 2006

AirportWatch's Rethink Campaign

Airport Watch campaign against unsustainable aviation expansion. They are active in the fight against the White Paper on Aviation which threatens so much of the land and the villages around Longford.

You can view their website, AirportWatch's Rethink Campaign at www.rethink.airportwatch.org.

Crackdown on drinking in streets

Police have been given additional powers to clamp down on street drinking in Berkshire.

Seven areas of Slough will be affected by a new order introduced on Sunday to help officers deal with alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour.

Anyone found drinking in a public place within the designated areas, who refuses to hand over alcohol or stop drinking, could be arrested.

A spokeswoman for Slough Borough Council said it welcomed the move.

Parts of Baylis, Britwell, Colnbrook, Poyle, Farnham, Manor Park, the town centre, Chalvey and Langley are affected.

Exemptions apply where land is covered by an alcohol license.

Source: BBC News website dated 4th October 2006

T5 site evacuated over WWII shell

Part of Heathrow's £4bn Terminal Five site had to be evacuated after the discovery of an unexploded anti-aircraft shell on Thursday 21st September.

Work on the project ground to a halt for a few hours, after builders dug up the shell, dating back to World War II.

Thousands of workers were moved to safety and a 200m exclusion zone was put in place while explosives experts carried out a controlled blast.

Forthcoming Works at Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Airport have advised the Residents' Association of works due to comence at the eastern end of the airfield. The works will commence on the night of 10/11 September and last for approximately 10 days.

As a result of these works, daytime alternation will cease whenever the airport is on westerly operations.

The anticipated impact to Longford whilst on westerly operations (when planes are landing and taking off towards the west) is that the village will experience a lesser number of flights than usual - there will be little or no over-flying of aircraft during the daytime period.

If you have any general enquiries about this, please call the community relations team at heathrow on 020 8745 5791.

Parking Permit Reminder

For those of you who have been residents of Longford from before the days of residents' parking bays, now is the time to arrange for the renewal of your parking permits. you can do this by contacting the Parking Services department at the Civic Centre by phoning 01895 250633.

New banner law to be run up the flagpole

Little did they realise it at the time, but the thousands of people who draped England flags from their homes during the World Cup were breaking the law, an anomaly the government has now pledged to address.

Under current planning regulations, it is illegal to fly any national flag without permission from the local council, unless it is hung on "a single vertical flagstaff".

As part of a shake-up of planning rules connected to advertising, the government is issuing new advice to councils allowing any national flag to be flown without permission, however it is displayed.

The change in regulations should be in place by April 2007.

Source: Guardian Unlimited website dated 25th July 2006 and the Independent Online website (South Africa) dated 25th July 2006

Peggy Bedford Park

BAA have been busy for the past few weeks creating a new recreational facility right in the centre of Longford village to be called the "Peggy Bedford Park".

The new park - complete with looped gravel pathway, timber log seating and dog waste bins - will have two access points from the Bath Road through 'kissing gates'.

The idea for the park came out of discussions between BAA and the Longford Residents' Association who requested that it be named after Peggy Bedford, a local historical figure.

The works are now close to completion and an inspection of the works is due to take place towards the end of July. If everything is then in order, then access should be made available to the pulic shortly after.

It is hoped that there may well be an official 'opening' at some point later in the summer.

Source: Longford Residents' Association and T5 Inform magazine

Aviation Minister Rejects BA's Heathrow Pollution Claims

Aviation minister Gillian Merron has pointedly refused to back the way British Airways measured air pollution at Heathrow in its recent study which the airline claimed showed 'that air quality is below the EU limits for nitrogen dioxide limits'.

In answers to parliamentary questions put down by Uxbridge MP John Randall, the minister said that BA's method was not appropriate and that both the European Commission and the UK government require a different method when assessing air pollution levels.

Source: The Villager newspaper dated 15th July 2006

Planning for the Future with Heathrow East

As many of you will know, BAA announced earlier this year that they wish to decommision Terminals 1 and 2 and to replace them with a new terminal to be known as Heathrow East.

There will be a series of public meetings where their vision will be put forward and where residents can speak to BAA face-to-face.

Tue Jul 18, 3pm - 8pm, Sipson Community Hall
Thu Jul 20, 3pm - 8pm, Bedfont Community Centre
Tue Jul 25, 3pm - 8pm, Cranford Junior School
Thu Jul 27, 3pm - 8pm, Pippins School, Colnbrook
Tue Aug 1, 3pm - 8pm, Stanwell Moor Village Hall

St Mary's Church Summer Fayre - 17th June

The annual St Mary's Church Summer Fayre takes place from 2pm until 4pm. Amongst the attractions will be a raffle, tombola, plant stall, cakes, bric-a-brac and more.

Please be there and support your Parish Church.

BAA agrees to Ferrovial takeover

Directors of airports operator BAA, the owners of Heathrow Airport, have backed a takeover by Spanish building group Ferrovial, the BBC has learned.

Following a secret "auction", BAA has agreed to a 950p a share offer, which values the firm at £10bn, BBC business editor Robert Peston said.

Ferrovial had until midnight on Monday to table a final offer for BAA, which operates seven UK airports.

BAA's decision does not mean Goldman Sachs is out of the running - it has until Friday to come back with a better offer, but any bid would also have to cover BAA's break fee, which means it would have to be at around 960p or higher, Mr Peston said.

BAA refused to comment on the report. An announcement is expected early on Tuesday.

BAA's debt will increase greatly under the ownership of either Goldman or Ferrovial.

However, both bidding groups insist that the costs of servicing this debt would not lead to them cutting hugely expensive investments being made by BAA - such as the construction of Terminal 5 at Heathrow.

Source: BBC News website dated 5th June 2006

High-speed rail would stop Heathrow 'choking on its own congestion'

A high-speed rail line from London to the North and Europe could rule out the need for the planned Third Runway at Heathrow and stop the airport choking on its own congestion, according to a new report.

Fog on the Runway, published by Transport 2000 and written by independent consultant Jim Steer, says that plans for a Third Runway at Heathrow have overlooked the potential of High Speed Rail to meet travel demand.

By connecting the airport to a High Speed Rail network and turning the airport into a transport hub, new rail links would give the Midlands, the North, Scotland and the near Continent fast, direct and reliable journeys to the airport and do so with less environmental impact than air transport.

Lord Whitty, former Government Minister, who provided the foreword for the report, said: "The planned Third Runway at Heathrow would involve significant demolition and threatens to break statutory limits in terms of air quality and noise.

"This report suggests that using High Speed Rail could promote competitiveness while safeguarding the environment."

Source: 24dash.com website dated 5th June 2006

Association says Heathrow should `retire`

London`s Heathrow Airport is 60 years old this week and The Town and Country Planning Association says it is time for it to be 'retired.'

The authors of a report -- 'Heathrow: A Retirement Plan' -- predict an air capacity crisis in southeast London, and recommend Heathrow be replaced by a new airport constructed on an artificial island in the Thames Estuary.

Source: Monsters and Critics.com website dated 29th May 2006

Heathrow Special Needs Farm: Open Day - Tuesday 6th June

Heathrow Special Needs Farm invites local residents to the farm's Open Day on Tuesday 6th June 2006. The mayors of Hillingdon, Spelthorne and Runnymede are expected to attend together with the local press. The event starts at 10.30am. There will be stalls selling various bric a brac. Presnetation of certificates of merit will be presented to our clients, for their work during the past year, at about 1pm. Refreshments will be provided by the Sheraton Hotel.

Raffle (to be drawn at the Open Day)

The first prize in this year's raffle is 2 British Airways tickets to Boston, USA. The second priz\e is 2 BMI tickets to Dublin plus many other prizes. Tickets cost 20p (£1 for a book of 5) and are available from the farm now. If you want some sent to you, leave your name and address on the ansaphone (01753 680330).

Spelthorne Farm becomes Heathrow Special Needs Farm

After much discussion within the project, 'Spelthorne Farm Project' has changed its trading name to 'Heathrow Special Needs Farm'. The reasons for the change are:

1. The new name describes more accurately the work of the charity.
2. 'Heathrow' is universally recognised whereas 'Spelthorne' is not recognised outside of the area.
3. The word 'project' is construed by some as an unfinished project.

The name of the charity as registered with the Charity Commission remains unchanged and will always appear at the foot of all official correspondence.

The farm takes some £64,000 per year to run and suffered a loss of in the last year. While there are some generous corporate and private donors who support the work, all donations are gratefully received. Any donations can be sent to: Heathrow Special Needs Farm, Bath Road, Longford, UB7 0EF.

Heathrow night flights restrictions to stay

The government said it would not increase night flights allowed at Heathrow for the next six years, following opposition from local residents.

"In order to remove uncertainty on an element which has given rise to concerns, I have decided not to increase night-time movements limits at Heathrow during the period 2006-2012," Transport Minister Derek Twigg said in a statement.

Source: The Scotsman dated 9th May 2006

Local Election Results

In yesterday's local government election, Heathrow Ward elected the following to be our councillors for the coming four year period:

Santok Singh DHILLON (Labour)
Anita Grace SMART (Labour)
Paul John BUTTIVANT (Conservative)

Once they have had time to settle in at the Civic Centre, we will publish contact details in order that you may contact them with any issues you might have.

BA News claims that Heathrow meets EU Pollution Limits.

BA News, the staff newspaper for British Airways, has this week published an article claiming that air pollution around the Heathrow area meets the future legal limits that the European Union will impose in the year 2010.

The Longford Residents' Association feels that BA is deliberately not telling the full story. The measurements which they took are, in all likelihood, accurate, but they tell us very little what air pollution levels will be like in the future if a third runway and/or mixed-mode are introduced.

They claim that a fair bit of the pollution is generated from outside the area. That may also be true, but the EU Directive which will lay down the legal limits for 2010 makes it clear that the source of the air pollution is irrelevant. What matters is if the air pollution exceeds the limits in any one area, irrespective of where it comes from.

We suspect they have splashed this story on the front page because they know that they are under real pressure on the air pollution question.

London Borough of Hillingdon apologises to Longford residents

The London Borough of Hillingdon has today apologised to the people of Longford. They managed to collect the garden recycling and the dry recycling collections last week but failed to collect household refuse. This is not the first time that this failure has occurred.

After a tense series of emails between the Residents' Association and the officer responsible for collection of refuse, we have today received an apology from the council.

The apology says:

I have now concluded my investigation into the problems with refuse collection in the Longford Village area last week.

Based on my interviews with the refuse collection crew, supervisors and the Division's Street Care Officer, as well as the results of my own 'cold calling' on residents I have concluded that no refuse collection took place last week. As a consequence this matter will now be dealt with under the Authority's disciplinary procedures.

In the meantime on behalf of the Authority I would like to extend our sincerest apologies for the problems caused as a result of this failure of service and at the same time would like to assure you that the work of the crew in question will be monitored very closely including my own inspections as previously advised.

Yours faithfully.

Duncan Jones
WASTE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER - LB HILLINGDON

Poll: Runway switching 'must continue'

Most people living under the Heathrow flight path want runway alternation to continue, a study suggests.

The survey for the Mayor of London showed 75% said getting a period of quiet is important to residents.

Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "The vast majority of Londoners living under the Heathrow flight path value the half a day's peace and quiet they get from runway alternation and want to see this retained."

Jenny Jones, of the London Assembly Green party, said: "Ending runway alternation would make a bad situation even worse.

"The message from Londoners is loud and clear, expansion of Heathrow should be ruled out, permanently."

Source: BBC News website dated 20th March 2006

Hosepipe Ban hits Longford

A hosepipe and sprinkler ban is to be imposed by Three Valleys Water to tackle the worst water shortages the South East has seen in a century.

The firm's three million domestic customers in Essex, Beds, Bucks, Herts, North London and Middlesex will be hit by the ban, which begins on 3 April.

Source: BBC News website dated 20th March 2006

Three Valleys Water have said:

Despite a year on year increase in customer demand for water, we have managed to avoid the need for a hosepipe ban for the last 14 years in a row. However the recent dry winters means that this can no longer be avoided. Along with six other water companies in the south east, we have announced a hosepipe ban and have joined forces to work together with them and the Environment Agency to beat the drought. We hope our customers will join us too! The ban begins on 3rd April 2006 and will continue indefinitely.

Source: Three Valleys Water website

Airports fail air pollution test

Most English airports do not meet EU-recommended limits on the pollutant gas nitrogen dioxide, a study suggests.

Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham and Newcastle airports are the worst offenders, a report from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy found.

Source: BBC News website dated 13th March 2006

Pollutant levels threaten Heathrow expansion

High levels of nitrogen dioxide at UK airports could threaten some airports' expansion plans, figures reported by the BBC suggests.

A new study, conducted by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, showed that Heathrow and Gatwick airports are among the worst offenders, containing NO2 levels up to 75 per cent above EU recommendations.

The news could come as a serious blow to Heathrow Airport, which won't be allowed to build a third runway if its NO2 levels continue to exceed the EU benchmark.

Birmingham and Newcastle airports exceeded the target by the same amount, while nine other UK hubs were over the limit by up to 50 per cent.

Only tiny Sandown airport on the Isle of Wight was below the EU target – which will become mandatory by 2010.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy's professor Grahame Pope said that the impact of airport emissions on public health were a concern, although he blamed the results as much on transport serving the airports as on aircraft.

The pollutant gas could affect suffers of asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.

Source: Cheapflights website

Peers clamp down on night flights

Government plans to abolish current limits on night flights have been defeated in the House of Lords.

The move may come as a blow to airlines hoping to increase off-peak services but will relieve residents in the flight-path of Heathrow and other major airports.

Tory councillor Edward Lister was among the politicians campaigning against the move.
"The government and the airlines wanted to do away with the only protection people living near airports have. Early morning flights ruin people's sleep and damage their health," he told the BBC.

Peers also voted in favour of forcing airports to fine airlines with noisy planes.

It is argued that this would end the disadvantage to those airports that already voluntarily levy charges on noisy airlines.

The government was in favour of sanctioning more night flights on the grounds that technological innovations have recently led to a 75 per cent reduction in noise levels.

Source: news.cheapflights.co.uk dated 9th March 2006

Peers battle over Heathrow noise

Opposition peers are calling for the retention of limits on the number of night flights to Heathrow, amid fears government plans may create more noise.

Heathrow is allowed 2,550 take-offs and landings to take place between 11.30pm and 6am during the six-month "winter season". This averages out at about 16 a night.

Individual jets create 75% less noise than was once the case, the government argues. If the bill passes into law, restrictions on the number of night flights to Heathrow would end in about five years' time.

Edward Lister, Tory leader of Wandsworth Council, which is under the Heathrow flight path, told the BBC News website: "The government keeps arguing that quieter plans means we can have more flights. But it only takes one plane to wake you up at four o'clock in the morning. If there's another almost straight away afterwards, you won't get back to sleep. We want to ban night flights completely, not see them increase."

Source: BBC News website dated 8th March 2006

New local history book available

New publication - "Around Heathrow: Past & Present

This book which contains some 200 photographs compares old and new scenes of an area that is now dominated by Heathrow Airport. The hamlet of Heathrow has disappeared but there are still vestiges of a village atmosphere to be found elsewhere even though this corner of the south-east has probably seen more changes in the last 60 years than anywhere else in Britain. The book starts with a comparison of old photographs around Heathrow with the present-day airport. So much has been completely obliterated that it is of necessity brief as it is almost impossible to link the past with the present. It then continues with a journey along the Bath Road from Cranford Bridge to Mad Bridge at Longford. Here too, much has been changed by the close proximity of the airport until Longford is reached where, surprisingly, much of the old village remains. The journey then continues back from Longford via Harmondsworth, Sipson and Harlington, finally ending up in Hayes.

Around Heathrow: Past & Present is written by local historian Philip Sherwood and published by Sutton Publishing, ISBN: 0750941359. It is currently available via Amazon.

Campaigner calls on councillors to unite against airport expansion menace

A leading aviation campaigner has called on councillors across West London to unite against the menace of airport expansion "before it's too late".

The call to arms from Hounslow Council's lead member for aviation issues, Councillor Ruth Cadbury, comes in the wake of a controversial campaign launched by supporters of expansion targeting councillors in the boroughs around Heathrow.

Councillor Cadbury said: "There are plans in the pipeline that will see Heathrow grow by 50% in the next ten years. Expansion on that scale will be disastrous for the residents of West London. As their local representatives, we have a duty to protect their future and ensure the needs of our communities come before the needs of the airport."

"The airport is a proven economic success, so the suggestion that it will suddenly fall into decline if it is not allowed to expand relentlessly is highly irresponsible. Future Heathrow should not be promoting scare stories about job losses and economic disaster, it should be working with local councils to ensure airport employees living near Heathrow can enjoy a good quality of life and a decent night's sleep.

Source: 24dash.com - News for the public sector and beyond

Heathrow threatened with closure!

Lax security was tightened at the UK's biggest airport yesterday forcing hundreds of passengers to miss flights.

Inspectors managed to smuggle weapons through security checks leading to Heathrow's owner BAA being ordered to "raise its game".

It led to lengthy queues at X-ray screening machines as one in three passengers was body searched instead of the usual one in six. The Department of Transport threatened BAA that it could lose its licence and Heathrow would have to close unless security was improved.

Source: Daily Mirror website dated 10th February 2006

Future of medieval Harmondsworth Barn

All are invited to a public meeting on 8th February at 8pm at St Marys Church, Harmondsworth to discuss the future of the medieval Harmondsworth Barn.

The private owners of the barn went into liquidation and then receivership in October 2004. Deloitte & Touche, the receivers, are administrators of the Great Barn and the property agent responsible for the disposal has offered it to the council to purchase at nil value. The council has so far decided to decline this offer. This has put the future of the barn in some jeopardy.

We cannot stand by and let this vitally important part of our local heritage be put at risk. Please attend and show the council and other interested parties the strength of local feeling.

567 Bath Road, Longford

567 Bath Road is currently a lovely old house set off Bath Road in the village conservation area. Since the last resident there died last year, there have been two planning applications submitted for the demolition of the house and the redevelopment of the site into multiple studio flats.

The second such application has recently been withdrawn by the developer with no reason given.

I wonder when they will be back with yet another plan to put too many people in too small a space?

Extra policing speeds up for spring

Hillingdon already has eight wards with Safer Neighbourhood teams, which are made up of a sergeant, two police constables and three police community support officers.

The remaining 14 wards in Hillingdon should have teams in place by the end of April, although they will not initially be full strength teams. The wards will have a sergeant and one police constable, as well as two police community support officers, but the Met has said that each team will be expanded to six members by April, 2007.

Full story on the Hillingdon Times website (20 Jan 2006)

Heathrow builders to strike again

Another strike by workers building a £4bn fifth terminal at Heathrow Airport is to begin on Friday.

Workers, who staged two 24-hour strikes before Christmas, want an extra £1 an hour in their bonus schemes but contractors Laing O'Rourke are offering 22p.

More details at the BBC News website

Heathrow to demolish Terminal 2

Heathrow's Terminal 2 is to be demolished under a £1.5bn plan to revamp London's main airport in time for the 2012 Olympics.

Source: BBC News website dated 10th November 2005

Garden Waste Collection - Announcement

The fortnightly collection of garden wastes will be temporarily suspended over the Xmas & New Year period.

For Red Week - your last collection will be week commencing 21st November 2005 - collections will restart week commencing 16th January 2006.

For Green Week - your last collection will be week commencing 28th November 2005 - collections will restart week commencing 23rd January 2006.

Forgotten which week you are on then check out our online search engine which will give you the collection day and week for your garden waste collections :-
www.hillingdon.gov.uk/environment/waste/collection_day.php

Hounslow Council Continues to Oppose Expansion Plans

New proposals to expand London’s main airport have been slammed for ‘putting local communities under constant stress’.

Hounslow Council has rejected new plans to expand Heathrow airport and criticised BAA.

Source: 24dash.com website dated 31 October 2005

Torchlight Parade - 30th October

A torchlight parade is being organised by the No Third Runway Action Group (NoTRAG) for Sunday 30th October. There are two meeting points, both at 4.30pm. Meet at Sipson Meadow, Harlington or, for those who cannot walk very far, at Heathrow Primary School. The procession will begin at 5pm ending with a few short speeches in Harmondsworth at 5.45pm.

The Villages Need You

To coincide with the closing of the BAA Draft Interim Master Plan consultation, NoTRAG is organising a family event. Bring your family, friends and neighbours. For a bit of fun why not dress the kids in Halloween costume?

Join us for the torchlight parade and light up the proposed runway!

It is planned to give a GLOWSTICK to every child. Adults, please bring a torch.

Email and SMS text alerts from Hillingdon Council

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For further information and to subscribe, visit the Hillingdon Website.

Airport expansion fight in Parliament

The campaign to halt expansion at Heathrow has reached Westminster, where MPs have been debating the future of air travel in the UK.

Source: Hounslow Guardian website, 20th October 2005

Mum can't sell house due to Heathrow

A resident has spoken out over her frustration at not being able to sell her home because of the blight of Heathrow. Janine Gorman, 37, saw the article in the Hillingdon Times about communities near Heathrow being destroyed because so many properties are being let rather than bought.

Mrs Gorman, of Kenwood Close, Sipson, said she is desperate to sell her house, but potential buyers are not interested when they hear about the planned expansion of Heathrow. She told the Times: "We put the house on the market in January. For the last few months, everyone that has come to see the house has had a key question. They want to know when BAA is going to put planning permission in, and exactly what is happening with Heathrow, but we don't know."

She added: "I feel bad for local residents. I know they don't want just tenants in the area, and I would love to sell my house to someone that is going to take care of it and make it their home. But who is going to buy my house?"

She added: "I agree with everything in last week's article the area is going downhill but it is because of this shadow of Heathrow hanging over us. People are not interested in buying in this area."

Janine and her partner had to finally make the decision last week to rent their house. She said: "The problem of Heathrow has impeded my lifestyle. I needed the equity to buy in Australia, now I am just going to have to rent."

She added: "I would love someone to buy my house who will fit in with the village lifestyle.

She added: "But I can't wait any longer and need to rent it out. It's a shame, I wish something more could be done."

Source: Hillingdon Times website 19th September 2005

Big buy-to-let boom ripping villages apart

Families say their community is being destroyed as the threat of a planned third runway at Heathrow hangs over their heads.

An increase in buy-to-let properties believed to be because of the uncertainty over expansion at Heathrow means families are moving out and being replaced by multiple occupancy households.
MP for Hayes and Harlington, John McDonnell told the Times about the impact that plans are having on the community.

He said: "Buy-to-let properties are having an impact across Hillingdon as a whole, but it has actually been intensified by the threat of the third runway."

He added: "Multiple occupancy is a problem with large numbers of people crammed into these properties.

"This is causing endless problems with sewers not being able to cope, as well as problems with vermin, infection, and rubbish everywhere."

In one block of flats in Harlington High Street, only around ten out of more than 30 flats are lived in by the actual leaseholders.

Residents living nearby say it has caused problems because tenants who move in don't care about the area.

They say there has been an increase in vandalism, graffitti and anti-social behaviour.
Harlington resident Ken Peggs, 72, said the area has gone downhill since the threat of the third runway.

He told the Times: "I have lived here for 34 years, and people that moved to the Heathrow villages moved here because it was in the countryside but also close to town and all the facilities. Now there is an increase in flights, the airport is getting bigger all the time, and people just don't care about the area."

BAA proposed two schemes in July for people whose homes would be affected by the third runway, but they were rubbished by pressure group HACAN Clearskies. The group said the whole community living near Heathrow could be blighted for a decade while Government decides on expansion plans.

But BAA said they could not speed up the Government's programme to determine whether the runway would go ahead or not, and were trying to provide certainty for people who were suffering the impact of living next to Heathrow.

Source: Hillingdon Times website, 8th September 2005

Union action could close Heathrow again

The Transport & General Workers' Union head, Tony Woodley, yesterday dramatically raised the stakes in the Heathrow airport dispute with British Airways and in-flight caterer Gate Gourmet.

Source: The Observer, 21st August 2005

Heathrow homes scheme criticised

Groups opposing the proposed third Heathrow runway have criticised schemes being offered to local residents to protect them from property blight.

"This is nothing more than a protection racket," Hacan chairman John Stewart said.

"BAA is saying to householders that if you play ball with us as we destroy your community, we'll see you all right."

NoTrag spokeswoman Christine Shilling said the BAA proposals were a "sneaky 'do it my way or else' paper promise".

"Many elderly won't survive the drastic upheaval to their lives and for those of us left behind, there will be trauma and depression as everything we've ever known is buried under concrete," she said.

About 700 homes could be demolished if the expansion goes ahead.

Source: BBC News website 29 July 2005

Local MP meets new aviation minister.

The campaign against expansion at Heathrow airport is hotting up as a local MP took a delegation of colleagues to meet the new aviation minister.

John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, the constituency most affected by plans at Heathrow, led the MPs to meet new aviation minister Karen Buck MP to press for more openness in the decision- making process for the proposed third runway.

Mr McDonnell said: "We made it clear to the minister that at this stage we believe the government should rule out once and for all the possibility of a new runway and thus lift the blight from our community."

Source: Hillingdon Times website dated 15th July 2005

I'll fight Heathrow expansion, says Mayor

Ken Livingstone today vowed to use public funds to fight the expansion of Heathrow Airport. The Mayor said he opposed plans that would result in the loss of 700 homes to make way for a third runway, a sixth terminal and any increase in night flights, which he said caused "human misery".

Responding to concern from opposition parties at City Hall about Heathrow expansion, Mr Livingstone called the threat to homes in Harmondsworth and Sipson " completely unacceptable". He said: "We will campaign actively against this. I have seen these homes. During my own election campaign I was struck [that] this is a wonderful little community-Greater London Authority resources will be thrown completely into any public inquiry ag ainst their compulsory purchase."

Source: ThisIsLondon website dated 22 June 2005

Packed meeting kicks off fresh fight in runway war

Almost a thousand people packed out a school hall to hear the rally cry to fight the planned expansion of Heathrow.

Read about it by clicking the link.

Source: Hillingdon Times website dated 16th June 2005

Airport expansion unites local residents

The plan for airport expansion published by BAA last week has managed to unite public opinion in opposition to those plans.

Longford Residents' Association held a public meeting on 13th June in a packed meeting room at Spelthorne Farm. The next night, over 840 local residents crammed into Heathrow Primary School for a NoTRAG public meeting. This number shows that people are prepared to do their bit to fight this monstrous idea to expand an airport that was poorly located in the 1940s and which should grow no further.

If the Government and the aviation industry think that the people in the south of Hillingdon are going to roll over, they had better think again!

Changed rubbish collection service

As part of Hillingdon's drive to deliver continuous improvements to the range of recycling services on offer to residents the household recycling service for mixed dry recyclables will be increased to a weekly collection from Monday, 27th June 2005.

For some parts of the Borough, this means that collection days will change. For Longford, the collection day for houshold refuse and dry recyclables will be EVERY Thursday. But please remember that this will NOT include garden recycling which remains as a fortnightly collection.

Heathrow plans 'environmental madness'

Plans to destroy around 700 homes to make way for a third runway and sixth terminal at Heathrow Airport have been dismissed as "environmental madness".

Under BAA's interim plans, 357 hectares of land near the airport has been "safeguarded", discouraging future developers to build in case the land is needed for expansion.

Bryan Sobey, a member of the anti-expansion group NOTRAG (No Third Runway Action Group) said that by placing the area under such restraint, property was already being devalued.

Source: The Daily Mail website dated 6th June 2005

Heathrow Master Plan unveiled

The Longford Residents' Association has this morning received advance copies of the BAA draft Interim master Plan for development at Heathrow Airport. This plan is supposed to relate to the White Paper proposal that a third runway should be built at Heathrow should environmental constraints be met.

Our immediate concern with the plan is that all the options being discussed by BAA involve the extension of the airfield west to the M25 which would cut our road links to Stanwell and Staines to the south. A third runway will also cut our links to West Drayton and the rest of the Borough of Hillingdon to the north.

We have already challenged BAA as to why a western extension is required south of Longford in a plan which is supposed to be about a third runway. We await an answer. We will also be reviewing the entire plan in conjunction with our neighbouring villages to formulate a whole community response.

Cheap flights spark runway chaos

Plans to expand enormously Heathrow and Gatwick airports will receive a major blow this week with the publication of a report which will describe them as 'unnecessary' and a serious threat to the environment.

'Our view is that it is environmentally unsustainable, inconsistent with international policy and they have got to change it if the Prime Minister is serious about climate change,' said Mike Gwilliam, director of transport and planning for Seera, the South East England Regional Assembly.

Source: The Observer website dated 5th June 2005

New Heathrow runway will flaten up to 700 properties

Plans for a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow airport, which will require the demolition of up to 700 properties, are to be unveiled tomorrow.

A minimum of 260 properties — and possibly as many as 700 — will be flattened, including at least one primary school.

“These plans re-emphasise the fact of how much misery expansion at Heathrow will cause,” said John Stewart, chairman of Hacan, a pressure group representing residents under the airport’s flight path.

“It will mean more planes, more noise and air pollution and thousands of people could lose their homes.”

Source: Sunday Times website dated 5th June 2005

Aircraft noise 'affects learning'

A team from Barts and the London NHS Trust looked at data on more than 2,800 children living near Heathrow and other airports in Spain and the Netherlands. The Lancet study found each five decibel increase in noise level was linked to children being up to two months behind in their reading age. A US expert said the study supported previous research findings.

The children, all aged nine or 10, attended schools near to London's Heathrow Airport, Schiphol in the Netherlands and Barajas in Spain.

Writing in the Lancet, Dr Peter Rabinowitz of Yale University School of Medicine, said this latest research backed up previous analyses. He highlighted one study which looked at children living near to the old Munich airport in Germany, before and after it was closed down.

"Children attending schools near the airport improved their reading scores and cognitive memory performance as the airport shut down, while children going to school near the new airport experienced a decline in testing scores."

The London Borough of Hounslow said that, in light of the research, it had launched an investigation into the impact of aircraft noise on local schools.

Source: BBC Health website 03 June 2005

Notes from meeting with BAA - 2nd June

- Longford Flood Alleviation Scheme almost complete. Should be mostly done by end of summer.

- Evidence of a Bronze Age settlement found in the northernmost field just south of the A4.

- BAA wish to extend car park south of Longford. All vehicle access to be from Perimeter Rd.

- BAA propose to open up green space south of Bath Road to public access with paths and benches.

- BAA are seeking ways to include Longford in their Heathrow Connectivity transport plan to connect Longford to the terminals and onwards into the tube and Heathrow Express systems.

- BAA propose to work with LBH to make minor changes to road signage and layout to reduce traffic using village as a rat run.

- BAA will in future fund a meeting room once each month at the Thistle Hotel for the Residents' Association for committee and public meetings.

QPR take over Chelsea training ground

Queens Park Rangers have reached an agreement to move to Chelsea's old training ground at Harlington.

QPR chief executive Mark Devlin said: "This is an outstanding sporting facility and we are thrilled to be on the verge of moving the club's training set-up to Harlington."

Source: ThisIsLondon website dated 24th May 2005

Clash over Heathrow future

A campaign group to lobby for the continued development of the UK's biggest airport has been launched under the leadership of new Labour peer Lord Soley.

Called Future Heathrow, the group will highlight the economic importance of the west London airport.

But the group is being opposed by Heathrow anti-noise group Hacan ClearSkies which argues that many Heathrow users contribute very little to the UK economy.

Lord Soley, who as Clive Soley was the former Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush Labour MP, said: "Heathrow is critically important to the economic prosperity of West London and the Thames Valley and is a uniquely valuable asset to London and the UK."

Hacan said that, of the 22 million additional passengers who used Heathrow in 2004 compared with 1992, 19 million were transfer or transit passengers just passing through the airport, thus contributing very little to the UK economy."

Source: icThewharf website dated 23 May 2005

BAA information evening for Longford residents

BAA are hosting an information evening on Thursday 2nd June 2005 in the Print Room at the Thistle Hotel, Longford at 6.30pm.

There will be 2 subjects. Firstly, an update on the Longford Flood Alleviation Scheme which will cover where they are with construction, what you may see in coming months as well as the chance to ask questions you may have about the scheme. Secondly, BAA would like to present an outline of their proposals for an extension to the N3 car park and the enhancement of an area of existing parkland in the village.

Longford bus stop attack may hold key to Twickenham killing

Officers investigating the murder of Amlie Delegrange and other assaults on women in south west London are appealing for information about another attack in Longford.

On December 16, 2003 at around 7.45pm a 33-year-old white woman hairdresser was waiting at a bus stop near The White Horse Pub, Old Bath Road, Longford.

The area was fairly quiet and dark and she only recalls one other person waiting near to the bus stop.

It was a cold winter night, and the woman was wearing black trousers and a hooded jacket with fur, the hood of which she had up.

As she made a call to her husband on her mobile phone she was attacked from behind receiving a large lump and wound to her head.

Her next recollection of events is waking up in hospital the following morning.

Her husband recalls her screaming down the phone at the time of the assault.

Nothing was stolen and it was a totally unprovoked and motiveless attack.

Police believe a black VW Golf with two or three passengers was at the scene with one of the men being responsible for the attack.

Another woman waiting at the bus stop with the victim may well have crucial information regarding the attack and has been described by witnesses as a white, tall female aged 20 to 30 with short dark layered hair who was either carrying a ruck-sack or duffle coat.

The victim was off work for more than a month because of the attack and still suffers headaches as a result of her injuries.

She is still traumatized and frightened by events.

Police are keen to speak to any witnesses particularly the woman at the bus stop.

Police believe there may be a connection between the attack and the murder of French student Miss Delegrange who was found beaten to death on Twickenham Green, south west London, on August 19 last year.

Police have received more than 100 calls from the public about the death of the 22-year-old.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Incident Room at Putney on 0208 785 8244 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111

Source: Hillingdon Times website, 20 May 2005

We have seen the enemy and his name is Soley!

The campaign director of the pro-Heathrow Expansion lobby group (Future Heathrow) is now known to be Clive Soley, the one time MP for Ealing. He announces this on his own blog here.

Which reminds me, Future Heathrow is due to be launched on 23rd May. NoTRAG (the No Third Runway Action Group) plan to hold a demonstration at this event. See more on their website here.

Ground Safety Fears at Heathrow

Heathrow is bursting at the seams and in urgent need of a safety review. That’s the verdict of a report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), following a surge in collisions between planes and buildings as the world’s busiest passenger airport struggles to cope with the 470,000 aircraft and 63m passengers currently passing through each year.

BAA hopes the completion of Terminal 5 will ease congestion. “Good luck to them,” says David Learmount (of Flight International magazine). “By then, the new A380s will be in service, and Virgin, Emirates and Singapore Airlines will be bringing them in. Their wings are 10 yards wider than your average jumbo — if they can’t park the planes now, just wait till BA starts ordering A380s.”

CBI, unions and airlines join to fight for Heathrow expansion

Some of the world's largest airlines are forming a powerful coalition to fight for the controversial development of a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow airport.

Known as Future Heathrow, the group will have its own campaign offices, dedicated staff and a budget expected to run into the millions.

For further reading, follow the source link below.

Source: The Independent Online, 24 April 2005

Ellen visits Yeading

Yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur will be visiting B&Q in Yeading on Friday, April 22. Ellen will meet customers and staff as well as sign autographs.

She will also talk about her experiences onboard her record-breaking B&Q trimaran.

She will be at the B&Q in Glencoe Road between 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

Summer Nights

This updates information in an entry dated 23rd March.

A letter has been received from Ben Morton, the Director of Public Affairs at BAA Heathrow. In it, BAA modify what the Local Focus Forum members were told at the March meeting.

Now, apparently, the southern runway will close at 10pm until 6am from Sundays through Thursdays from early April until the end of October.

So for two years in a row, the residents to the north of the airfield have had the annoyance of ALL air traffic operating from the north runway at night. If the heat doesn't keep you awake, then the noise surely will.

BAA does not care a jot for the residents and the sooner we are all gone, the happier they will be.

West Drayton Centre aims to beat the boredom

A feast of activities are in store for youngsters with time on their hands.

Kids got a taste of what is to come at new youth centres acround the borough thanks to a re-vamp of youth services.

Youngsters turned out at the re-launch of the West Drayton Young Persons Centre (YPC) in Harmondsworth Road on Tuesday, and started to get the hang of a new climbing wall.

Cllr Solveig Stone, cabinet member for education, youth and leisure, joined the young people for the relaunch events at West Drayton, where the opening was marked with a balloon release.

Cllr Solveig Stone said: “I see the relaunch as the first step in a major new drive to promote youth activities throughout the borough to 11 to 19 year olds."

Source: Hillingdon Times website, 12th April 2005

Can you help to rebuild the new swan sanctuary?

The UK's only completely self-contained swan sanctuary has packed up its bags and moved home after 15 years in Egham.

The Swan Sanctuary, founded in the early 1980s by Dot Beeson, looks after around 4,000 swans each year, from bankside treatment to hospitalisation, often involving major surgery.

Finally, a perfect site was found in Shepperton, for which planning permission has been given.
The site at Felix Lane, off Fordbridge Road, comprises four acres of land and a four-acre lake, which connects directly to the Thames.

Help is also required for general conservation work which has begun with the management of the woodland, the making of habitats and footpaths, leading to the planting of native trees and plants, and all to create a more diverse natural habitat for wildlife.

There is much to be done before the sanctuary is operational, hopefully in April or May, and further adult volunteers, armed with cutting tools (loppers, tree saws and so on), gloves and sturdy footwear are encouraged to come along to help with this project.

Work days are scheduled for April 10 and 24; May 8 and 22; and June 12, 19 and 26. All word days start at 10am and finish by 1pm.

If you can help please contact Peter Routley on 01932 232344.

Source: Staines Guardian, 1st April 2005

Night flight noise through summer 2005

At a meeting of the Local Focus Forum at Heathrow Visitors' Centre last night, BAA announced some important news re night flights for this summer.

Due to work to construct a new taxiway near the southern runway to accommodate the Airbus A380 aircraft, the southern runway will close every night between 10pm and 6am from April through to October. This means that ALL take-offs and landings between those times will be on the northern runway closest to Longford.

This is the second year in a row that night flights have all been switched to the northern runway. The second year in a row that Longford residents will have disturbed sleep without respite for weeks and months on end.

Personal Safety (There's a robber about!)

A Longford resident was walking home at about 6.50pm on Bath Road in Longford when a car pulled up and the driver jumped out. He had his jacket zipped up to conceal his face and held a 10 inch screwdriver in his hand. He demanded that the resident give him the computer bag he was carrying several times. Our resident told him that he didn't have an effing computer in the bag whereupon he turned round and jumped into the car and drove away.

The car involved has a registration plate of K364 ABU.

If anyone sees this car hanging around around the five villages, call the Police as the vehicle is involved in theft in the villages and surrounding areas.

Hillingdon Community Trust Newsletter #2

The second newsletter of the Hillingdon Community Trust is now available. It contains information about eligibility for grants as well as news of some of the grants already made.

For further information about the Trust, visit their website.

BAA fights £10bn Crossrail Bill over Heathrow Express threat

BAA, the owner of Heathrow, is preparing to challenge key sections of the Bill to establish Crossrail, the £10bn rail project linking east and west London.

The airport operator is incensed by a little-noticed clause in the Bill giving Mr Darling power to seize control of Heathrow Express, BAA's £750m rail link to Paddington.

Source: The Independent Online, 20th March 2005

Station safety boost for rail passengers

Commuters are to benefit from improved station security after an investment of almost £400,000.

Rail passengers travelling through West Drayton will be getting a new anti-vandal shelter as part of the joint investment announced last week by Transport for London and First Great Western Link.

Source: Hillingdon Times website - 14 March 2005

Longford Flood Alleviation Scheme

Work has started on the Longford Flood Alleviation Scheme. All access to the site is via the grounds of Spelthorne Farm. As agreed with residents, works will take place between the hours of 0800hrs - 1800hrs, Monday to Friday, and will continue until late Autumn 2005. however, as the work is dependant upon good weather conditions, weekend working may be granted if necessary.

Be Alert - Thieves About!

It was mentioned at a meeting this week that two men were seen walking around Longford on Sunday 6th March, wandering into gardens and climbing over walls into secluded areas of the village. They are believed to have tried to force entry into one of the houses on The Island. It is even thought that they might have entered one of the houses in the village before being scared off. Many people had seen these men acting suspiciously yet no one called the Police.

While calling the Police can be a frustrating experience at times, they still like laying their hands on possible burglars while they are in the act. Remember, if you see someone so obviously "at it", call 999 as this is a crime in progress.

Council Tax Hike

Council tax is set to rise in Hillingdon by 4.23 per cent. The figure was agreed at a cabinet meeting this Tuesday, February 22.

The rise means an increase of £51.33 for people living in a Band D house in Hillingdon, bringing their council tax total for a year to £1,266.93.

Source: Hillingdon Times website - 26th February 2005

Drivers face paying congestion charge at Heathrow

Drivers arriving at Heathrow by car face paying a congestion charge under proposals being considered by the government to tackle traffic pollution at Britain’s biggest airport.

Without this shift in travel patterns, the government fears that it will be unable to meet a stringent European Union emissions cap that comes into effect in 2010 and has the potential to delay plans to build a third runway at Heathrow.

Proposals for the congestion charge are outlined in documents released by the Department for Transport last week under the Freedom of Information Act. The documents relate to the meetings of a stakeholder group examining access to the west London airport.

Source: Sunday Times website, 20th February 2005

Runway ruling to delay aviation expansion

The government's plans to turn Stansted airport into one of Europe's biggest international hubs face a potentially lengthy delay following a high court judgment that ministers acted illegally in prescribing the location of a new runway.

Stansted is central to the government's policy of expanding airports to cater for the appetite for cheap flights. Mr Darling announced in December 2003 that the airport's capacity was to go from 25 million passengers annually to a maximum 82 million by 2030.

The judgment is likely to mean that a new runway will undergo scrutiny at a planning inquiry, of a length and at a level of detail Mr Darling was keen to avoid. It will hearten campaigners at other airports including Heathrow, Birmingham and Edinburgh.

One of Mr Darling's officials, Mike Fawcett, was criticised for his reluctance to reveal grave doubts at the Treasury.

Mr Justice Sullivan said government officials "should remember that their obligation to tell the truth to the court does not mean that the court need only be told so much of the truth as suits the department's case, and that inconvenient parts of the truth may be omitted from their evidence".

Source: The Guardian website - 19th February 2005

Airport group raises £575m with property joint venture

BAA has entered a joint venture with the Aviva Group (they also own Norwich Union). As part of this, they have sold part of its property portfolio to them and raised over half a billion pounds to spend on acquisitions.

See the Daily Telegraph website, 15th February 2005

Fear of super noise from super jumbos

When super-jumbo aeroplanes take to the skies it could mean "super-jumbo noise".

Airbus, which is 80 per cent UK-owned, unveiled its super-jumbo last month in a glamorous ceremony. It will be the world's biggest passenger aircraft, due to start flying in 2006.

Richmond council leader Cllr Tony Arbour said: "It may be a good thing, but we are very concerned about the amount of noise. It may make super-jumbo noise, rather than jumbo noise."

Actual noise levels are not know about the Airbus A380 because it has not yet flown.

Last year, Richmond upon Thames Council headed a coalition of local authorities, including Wandsworth, Hillingdon and Windsor and Maidenhead, which won a legal challenge against the government in the high court.

The government conceded in December, saying it would consider actual noise levels caused by pre-6am flights, rather than just the manufacturer's noise level figures. Kensington and Chelsea Council have just joined the coalition as the flight paths affect them too.

Source: Richmond & Twickenham Times website - 4th February 2005

Jumble Sale - Saturday 12th February

St Mary the Virgin Church, Harmondsworth, is holding a jumble sale in the Church Hall, High Street, Harmondsworth at 2pm on Saturday 12th February.

Part of the proceeds to go to the tsunami disaster fund.

Entrance - 30p.

Date for your diary - 25th February

St Mary the Virgin Church Harmondsworth present a February Revue with cheese & wine.

The church will be holding a fund-raising (& fun) evening on Friday 25 February at 7.30 pm.

An evening of songs and original sketches, performed by the Scots Society of St. Andrew (Slough & District), but please note this is not a Scottish show.

This event will take place in the Church Hall, High St. Harmondsworth. Tickets £5 from Hazel Seddon Tel. 020 8897 8803

Information on the new pub licensing laws

The London Borough of Hillingdon has published information for both licensees and local residents concerning the new licensing laws due to come into effect later this year.

This information is on their website under Licenses and Street Trading.

Builders lose judicial review of Gatwick plan.

Persimmon Plc, Britain's biggest homebuilder by market value, and a unit of George Wimpey Plc lost a bid to force a judicial review of U.K. government plans to reserve land for a new runway at London's Gatwick Airport.

Persimmon and Laing Homes Ltd., which plan to develop a new neighborhood near the airport, failed to show that the government had acted ``unfairly or unreasonably'' in refusing to convene an inquiry on the policy, Justice Jeremy Sullivan ruled today at the High Court in London.

Bloomberg.com - 21st January

Mobile Phone Safety Boost

Mobile phone owners will now be able to log their phone's details on a national database launched by the police.

Detective Superintendent Chris Foster, of Ealing Police, believes the new website will help officers assist the hundreds of victims of mobile phone robberies recover their phones.

Registration only takes a couple of minutes and it is completely free. To register all you need is the mobile phone's 15-digit IMEI number which is the phone's unique serial number.

The IMEI number normally appears on a label underneath the battery in the mobile phone and on most phones it can also be viewed on screen by pressing *#06#.

To register your phone on the free website visit www.immobilise.com

Longford Flood Alleviation Scheme

BAA are to host a meeting concerning the construction programme for the Longford Flood Alleviation Scheme which is being built in partnership with the Environment Agency.

The Meeting will be held in the Print Room at the Thistle Hotel, Longford on 19th January starting at 6.15pm.

BAA have been in consultation with the village residents for about a yeart and the scheme agreed by all parties is now ready to be constructed. BAA are keen for villagers to attend as it provides an opportunity to understand the construction programme, meet the team and to raise any final questions before construction begins.

BAA's Community Liaison Team can be contacted on 020 8745 5555.

BAA the target of legal action over expansion blight

Formal documents have now been lodged with the High Court setting out
the case for Judicial Review of BAA's proposed compensation arrangements
for local homeowners suffering generalised blight as a result of plans
to expand Stansted Airport.

This latest application for Judicial Review, this time against BAA
rather than the Government, has been made by Takeley Parish Council and
local homeowners who are excluded from BAA Stansted's 'Home Owner
Support Scheme' (HOSS), set to be introduced on 4 January 2005. The
HOSS purports to implement the Government's requirement for a scheme to
minimise the effects of generalised blight from the proposed new runway,
outlined in the recent Air Transport White Paper. However, it is so
narrowly drawn that it covers just 500 out of the estimated 12,000 homes
affected by airport related blight, leaving the vast majority of local
residents 'out in the cold'.

BAA is accused of seeking to minimise compensation payments by refusing
to entertain claims from home-owners whose properties lie outside a very
tightly defined 66 dBA Leq (decibel) noise contour, despite clear
evidence of property blight over a much wider area.

Takeley Parish Council believes that it can easily demonstrate to the
High Court that many homes in the vicinity of the airport which are not
covered by the scheme are already severely blighted by the prospect of
having the world's largest airport on their doorstep. The Parish
Council has been provided with numerous case studies of local
homeowners, within Takeley Parish and beyond, who are currently unable
to sell their properties and who are now trapped into staying by the
major financial loss or even negative equity they would incur as a
result of selling at enormously reduced values. In many of these cases
there are pressing family or work-related reasons which lie behind the
family's reason for wishing to move home.

While Takeley Parish Council is taking the lead on the High Court
challenge, other neighbouring parish councils whose residents are
similarly being ignored by BAA's proposed compensation arrangements
have voiced their support for the Takeley action and are expected to
promise financial support early in the New Year.

Takeley's legal challenge follows requests to the Government in November
to fulfil its duties under the European Convention on Human Rights and
ensure that those who actually suffer blight are properly protected by
an underwriting scheme. Such a scheme could be operated by the
Government or by the airport developer on a statutory basis.

Longford Residents' Association applauds the actions of Takeley Parish Council and would support any similar action being taken in respect of blight as a result of the threatened expansion at Heathrow Airport.

Notification of T5 Works affecting Longford

BAA have notified the Residents' Association that works will be undertaken to strengthen the existing 3 metre fence that lies between Longford village and the Western Perimeter Road. These works are to enable the fence to withstand strong winds. The work will involve producing and fixing concrete supports to the fence. Vehicles marked 'Scion' will access the site from the Western Perimeter Road.

Work commences on 7th January, should take less than one week, and the hours of work are 8am to 4.30pm.

Staines car parks increase their charges

Many people in Longford shop in Staines due to it being easier to get to than Uxbridge or Hounslow. Therefore, we should be aware that car parking charges have been increased in the Borough of Spelthorne.

The new charges are:

up to one hour - 70p
1 to 2 hours - £1.20
2 to 3 hours - £1.70
3 to 4 hours - £2.50
4 to 5 hours - £5.00
over 5 hours - £10.00

Runway checks at night during January 2005

There will be some night time flight activity involving a small propeller aircraft over Heathrow between 10th - 13th January 2005. These flights are part of compulsory checking of the instrument landing system (ILS) and take place several times a year.

The checks involve the plane flying over each runway several times for around one hour using minimum engine power for most of the time.

16th December and Heathrow

On 16th December 1955, the Queen opened terminal buildings in the centre of Heathrow Airport.

On 16th December 1977, the Queen opened the extended tube link to Heathrow Airport.

For links to news items on both these events, visit the Heathrow section of the Longford website.

Legal Row on 'Real Noise' Aircraft Data Settled

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has settled a legal dispute in which he was accused of relying on inaccurate aircraft noise statistics in his consultation paper on future night flying restrictions at Heathrow.

The QC for the London Boroughs of Wandsworth and Richmond, David Anderson, told Mr Justice Forbes today that the actual operational noise of the Rolls Royce-powered Boeing 747-400, which accounted for most of the night flights at the airport, was up to 75% higher than the level certified under the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Seeking a judicial review of Stage 1 of the consultation paper, relating to noise levels, Mr Anderson said: “It is nothing short of absurd to interpret Community law as requiring the protection of individuals from environmental nuisance to be determined on the basis of figures that are admittedly, and by a wide margin, false.

“Such a fiction would be convenient to the powerful interests of BAA and the airlines because it would require the Secretary of State to pretend that the noise experienced by local residents is significantly less extensive than he knows it to be.”

The dispute was settled, at the judge’s urging, after more than two hours of out-of-court negotiations.

In a statement to the judge, the two sides agreed that Mr Darling was entitled to have regard to other operational noise measurements in addition to the standard certification data.

Wandsworth Council spokesman Steve Mayner welcomed Mr Darling’s acceptance that he could consider “real noise” data.

Source: The Scotsman, 14th December 2004

Challenge to Night-Flight rule change

Proposed changes to night-flight rules which opponents fear could lead to a trebling in the number of aircraft arriving at Heathrow before 6am will be challenged today in the High Court.

The legal action has been launched by the London boroughs of Wandsworth and Richmond.

The local councils say the Government has wrongly claimed that it is prevented by the EU from amending current noise classifications for aircraft – even though it has admitted that the engine noise data on which its night noise scheme is based is faulty.

Wandsworth Council leader Edward Lister said: “We don’t think any of these 16 flights are necessary."

A key council argument today will be that the Government’s consultation was misleading and therefore unlawful.

Source: The Scotsman, 14th December 2004

BAA support ahead of court battle

UK airport operator BAA has reiterated its support for the government's aviation expansion plans to airports throughout the country.

The comments come a day ahead of a High Court challenge by residents' groups and local councils to the government's White Paper.

The judicial review will centre on government plans for expansion at Heathrow, Stansted and Luton airports.

BAA, which operates all three, said it was consulting with local communities.
"We are...consulting on voluntary compensation schemes which go beyond our statutory obligations," a BAA spokesman said.

Source: BBC News, 12th December 2004

Court Challenge to 'Flawed' Airport Expansion Plans

Residents’ groups and local councils will tomorrow mount a High Court challenge to the Government’s aviation White Paper.The judicial review, to be heard before Mr Justice Sullivan, will centre on the Government’s plans for expansion at Heathrow, Stansted and Luton airports.Those challenging the plans include the Stop Stansted Expansion group, Heathrow anti-noise campaigners HACAN Clearskies and the London boroughs of Hillingdon and Wandsworth.

The High Court challenge will highlight what anti-expansion groups see as key “flaws” in the White Paper. These include:

The absence of a commercial justification for a second Stansted runway, contrary to the Government’s own requirements for the consultation;

The failure to make clear in the consultation that the ending of the practice of using runways in alternation at Heathrow – a method of ensuring some respite from overflying for people living in west London – could be a short-term alternative to a third runway;

The failure to consult on the extended runway proposals put forward for Luton (the consultation examined two completely different options for expanding the airport);

The failure to provide information to the public about alternative development proposals for airports which had been submitted or to give proper consideration to these options and the failure to inform or consult the public about other fundamental shifts in the Government’s position which took place during the course of the consultation.

Mr Justice Sullivan is expected to give a judgment early in February.

Source: The Scotsman, 12th December 2004

Airports plan faces deluge of angry litigants

Ministers face a wave of litigation against their White Paper on aviation which may mean that plans for airport expansion costing billions of pounds will have to be scrapped.

A BAA memorandum sets out the full range of court action being faced by the Government in a judicial review beginning on Monday and warns that if litigants win many of their points, the White Paper would have to be withdrawn, new proposals published and a fresh round of consultations would have to begin. The company stands to lose hundreds of millions of pounds in potential revenue if the Department for Transport is made to rethink its views.

In next week's case the Secretary of State for Transport Alistair Darling is being accused of acting "unlawfully or irrationally or unfairly".

Source: The Independent, 10th December 2004

St Mary's Church, Harmondsworth warmly invite you to visit ...

St Mary's Church, Harmondsworth warmly invite you to visit over the Christmas period.

Come along and see our nativity scene, all the way from the Island of Madeira.

Services:

Every Sunday 9 - 11am Church Open 10.30 - 1pm

Opening Times: Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings from 10 - 12.

Christmas Services:

Thursday 16th Dec - Heathrow School, 7pm
Friday 17th Dec - Harmondsworth School Carol Service, 9.30am
Sunday 19th Dec - Candlelit Carol Service & Cristingle, 6pm
Friday 24th Dec - B.A. Christian Fellowship, 12.45pm
Christmas Day - Parish Communion, 11am
Sunday 26th Dec - Holy Communion, 9am
Sunday 26th Dec - Parish Communion, 11am

New Weblog for the Five Heathrow Villages

A new weblog has been created as a means of keeping the residents of the five Heathrow villages in the south of the Borough of Hillingdon in touch with what's on and what is happening in and around their community.

You can view the weblog at http://heathrowvillages.blogspot.com/

A new way of delivering news to the Longford website.

Following an introduction to weblogs at a web owners forum today hosted by HAVS, this is the first step in moving towards a Blog news service form the Longford website.

Waste fight takes off.

Fifty black balloons with the slogan "Health warning in Hillingdon" were released from Uxbridge Town centre by members of the West London Stop The Incinerator (WLSTI) campaign in an experiment to see how far they would travel. Dave Ashworth, of WLSTI, said: "The main message we are sending is not only does it carry our message about stopping the incinerator but it also brings home how far pollution travels."

Source: Hillingdon Times

Witness Appeal.

Police are appealing for witnesses concerning a serious assault which occurred nearly a year ago. On 16th December 2003, at the bus stop near to the White Horse pub, a 33-year-old white woman was seriously assaulted. A number of people came to the woman's aid. Did you see the incident? Were you one of these people? Can you help the Police in any way? If you can help, contact either DC Maslin or DC Murray on 020 8247 7911. All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Mayor orders Waste Authority to develop strategy.

The Mayor of London has ordered the West London Waste Authority to produce a waste strategy taking account of the environmental impact and public views on its services. Mayor Ken Livingstone has said he will not allow further waste tenders to go ahead until he is "convinced that the services are in the interests of London and its neighbours". Mr Livingstone said: "After much consideration I have decided to issue a direction to West London Waste Authority in order to satisfy myself that they are considering the environment when they arrange their waste management contracts. The direction was issued under section 356 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999. Waste authorities, which represent the waste disposal interests of their member boroughs, were to have submitted joint municipal waste strategies to the Mayor's office by September 2004. The West London Waste Authority has failed to submit its strategy in time for this deadline.
Source: letsrecycle.com

Heathrow Villages Community Conference 2004

Around 120 people gave up their Saturday morning to attend the Heathrow Villages Community Conference, organised by John McDonnell MP, to discuss community issues important to the area.

The photo shows David Brough, from the London Borough of Hillingdon, John McDonnell MP, and Chief Superintendent Mark Toland, the Borough Commander of Hillingdon Police.

Salvation Army Christmas treat.

Salvation Army Christmas treat. The Salvation Army are providing a free lunch to anyone on their own at Christmas - booked in advance, and are looking for the names and addresses of people who might warrant an Xmas parcel. If you know of anyone living within the five Heathrow villages who could benefit - neighbours, friends, etc - please contact Jenie Betteridge of HAVS by clicking here.

Don't waste your waste!

The Slough Anti-Incinerator Network (SAIN) invite you to participate in a Community Waste Workshop at 8.00pm, 24th November, Slough Friends' House, Ragstone Rd. The subject is collective community planning to find solutions for our waste. Since the start of the campaign against incineration, we have learnt a great deal, not just about incineration, but about the whole question of waste policy. SAIN believe that it is not enough to just oppose Grundon's incinerators but we must also support and push forward attempts at more healthy, sustainable waste management practices. It is understood that policy is frequently based on private profit interests, emanating from the 'close relationship' between business and the authorities (locally, nationally and globally). Due to this, those most affected by these policies often have no say in their formulation, and for democracy to mean anything, this must change.

No need to book places - just turn up but if you have any questions please feel free to contact SAIN at mail4.sain@virgin.net and hope to see you there.

T5 goes on display at Heathrow centre.

A replica of Terminal 5 has been unveiled at Heathrow Airport's Visitor Centre. The model, which forms the centrepiece of a new T5 exhibition shows how the terminal will eventually look when it opens to passengers in 2008. Anyone who wants to get an idea of the actual size of Terminal 5 can go on a weekly bus tour, available to take members of the local community around the site. It is possible to book a place on a site tour, which begin every Friday from the Heathrow Visitor Centre, by calling 020 8745 6655 between 3pm and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Source: Hillingdon Times

Action urged on aviation pollution.

The aviation industry could have an "immense" negative impact on the environment, peers have warned. A report published by the Lords EU sub-committee on environmental issues on Wednesday slammed ministers for continuing to support the expansion of Britain's airports while also pledging to reduce pollution levels.

Source: ePolitix.com