Slough officially supports Heathrow Expansion

The council is due to submit its response to the Davies Commission on airport capacity later today.

The council has been working closely with Heathrow to agree mitigation measures worth 'millions'.

Heathrow Airport Ltd’s new North West runway proposal is the preferred option.

Some of the mitigation already agreed includes: • the council and Heathrow establishing a partnership and working together to resolve airport-related issues – the work of this partnership to be funded by Heathrow to the tune of £100,000 per year for 15 years • apprenticeships, training or employment for all Slough’s young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) on a permanent basis • tailored noise mitigation packages for any property experiencing more than 60db • £3,000 worth of noise insulation works for any property experiencing more than 55db • generous noise mitigation packages for affected local schools • new air quality monitoring station • specific support for communities closest to the airport, including Colnbrook • support of the council’s commitment to sending zero rubbish to landfill – in the event of down time, or relocation of the Colnbrook energy from waste plant • studies on improving public transport access to the airport, including 24-hour bus services and measures to promote cycling and improve cycle routes • potential of new council homes in areas where the airport has purchased housing affected by expansion • measures to ensure good management of homes affected the airport’s ‘offer to buy’ scheme Councillor Rob Anderson, leader of the council, said: “Heathrow is one of the main reasons Slough’s economy is so buoyant, our unemployment so low and our prospects so positive.

“By working with the airport to agree millions of pounds of mitigation for our town and its residents, we are confident in supporting the expansion of Heathrow – cementing our relationship with our neighbour and building growth into both our futures.” Councillor James Swindlehurst, deputy leader of the council, said: “We have been pushing the airport hard for mitigation measures for our town.

“The Heathrow expansion proposals affect Slough probably more than any other borough but will also deliver huge economic benefit for our residents.

“Having reached agreement to secure adequate mitigation the council feels able to give support for expansion at Heathrow to secure its long term prosperity. “Slough’s connectivity to London, the rest of the country and the world is key to our success and the only barrier to our support was ensuring our residents were well compensated.” Councillor Sohail Munawar, commissioner for economic and social inclusion, said: “This agreement and the measures within it bring a wealth of opportunities for Slough and its residents.

“From a training and employment scheme which could see the end of NEETs in Slough, to studies and plans to improve access to Heathrow for the thousands of our residents who work at the airport – a positive future for Heathrow is also a positive future for our town. They have our support.” Nigel Milton, director of external relations for Heathrow Airport, said: “Heathrow Airport is delighted with Slough Borough Council’s support for our expansion plans. Through our Strategic Partnership, Slough is ready to secure the benefits only an expanded Heathrow can bring, including a share of 10,000 new apprenticeships, the potential to eradicate youth unemployment in the borough, and better and expanded public transport options. The support of close regional partners like Slough is crucial for Heathrow, and we have worked hard to ensure our new approach to expansion is environmentally sustainable and mitigates the effects of noise, while we work to deliver the economic benefits our country needs.” We want to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below.