New poll shows broad support for Heathrow expansion in Slough, Windsor and Beaconsfield parliamentary constituencies

A Populus poll of 12,004 residents from 12 parliamentary constituencies around the airport, including Windsor, Slough and Beaconsfield, came back with 50% of people saying either they strongly support or somewhat support a third runway at the airport.

However, 34% were somewhat opposed or strongly opposed to the idea in the results of the poll compiled by Heathrow.

The research is the first since the Airports Commission made a recommendation to Government that Heathrow should expand with a third runway to the north west of the current site.

John Holland-Kaye, chief executive of Heathrow Airport, said: “The Airports Commission has confirmed that Heathrow expansion will keep Britain at the heart of the global economy, meets environmental targets and balance the needs of local communities. Local people support the plan along with unions, businesses and politicians across the country. Every month of delay costs Britain £1bn so let’s get on with it.“ However, John Stewart, the chair of anti-Heathrow expansion group HACAN, said: “In their heart of hearts Heathrow must be disappointed with these results.

"Despite the millions they have spent on advertising, the polls have not moved. Indeed the Government, which is considering whether to give the green light to a third runway, might be more interested in the numbers which continue to oppose expansion.

“Hundreds of thousands of people do not want a third runway. That is formidable opposition.”

In the poll, 45% of the 1,000 people living in Windsor polled were strongly or somewhat supportive of expansion with 40% strongly or somewhat opposed. In Slough, the figures were 61% and 22% while in Beaconsfield the numbers stood at 54% and 30%.

The Government is expected to make a decision later this year on a proposal on how to expand the UK’s airport capacity in the south-east - a third runway at Heathrow or a second runway at Gatwick.