Heathrow's 3rd Runway approved
It has happened! Despite the infighting and the attempts to block it, Heathrow has the official go-ahead to build a third runway. I believe that in spite of the go-ahead, there will be lawsuits, more fighting and protest. Politicians are still arguing the value and Greenpeace is promising "a battle the likes of which the country has never seen". They have even purchased a field where the runway is due to be built and sold joint ownership to thousands of people with the intent of locking BAA (British Airport Authority) in court for several years.
The new runway will raise Heathrow's capacity from 480,000 flights a year to 702,000 by 2030. There are "green" concessions attached that need to be implemented and BAA will not be allowed an immediate use of both runways for simultaneous take-offs and landings as this would have increased noise pollution.
All the extra slots will not be available until quieter, cleaner jets come into service. Also, there will be an attempt to cut domestic flying by building a new rail service from St. Pancras to Heathrow connecting with a new "bullet train" to the North.
The arguments are all valid and understandable.
There will be 65,000 more jobs however there will be loses of homes (700), lifestyles and bits of history as small villages like Sipson are annihilated.
It will be safer and reduce the number of flights that currently are delayed due to circling however 4000 homes will be affected by the noise and pollution.
How do you weigh the price of progress? Everything has a price and most of us are willing to pay the price as long as it doesn't mean a personal cost. What is the answer when we want to fly, travel and see the world but we don't want the world coming to see us.
The new runway will raise Heathrow's capacity from 480,000 flights a year to 702,000 by 2030. There are "green" concessions attached that need to be implemented and BAA will not be allowed an immediate use of both runways for simultaneous take-offs and landings as this would have increased noise pollution.
All the extra slots will not be available until quieter, cleaner jets come into service. Also, there will be an attempt to cut domestic flying by building a new rail service from St. Pancras to Heathrow connecting with a new "bullet train" to the North.
The arguments are all valid and understandable.
There will be 65,000 more jobs however there will be loses of homes (700), lifestyles and bits of history as small villages like Sipson are annihilated.
It will be safer and reduce the number of flights that currently are delayed due to circling however 4000 homes will be affected by the noise and pollution.
How do you weigh the price of progress? Everything has a price and most of us are willing to pay the price as long as it doesn't mean a personal cost. What is the answer when we want to fly, travel and see the world but we don't want the world coming to see us.
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