Waltham Forest Cllrs Blast 'Arrogance' of Newham Council

A Liberal Democrat motion submitted to Waltham Forest Council demanding action over the lack of consultation on the expansion of London City Airport was last night unanimously supported by ALL parties. This blow has been dealt to London City Airport and Newham Council after an avalanche of complaints was received by Waltham Forest councillors, many from residents who have been newly affected by London City Airport aircraft noise over their homes.

The motion (see beneath) requested a list of items to be addressed and actioned including an investigation into why Waltham Forest was not formally consulted over the expansion of flights at London City Airport by Newham Council. As Newham Council is the planning authority for the airport, it is Newham's responsibility to formally consult on any changes proposed by the airport.

The Liberal Democrats have shown an outstanding committment to their communities on putting this issue on the agenda. As a result, it is most welcome to now see an all party group set up to deal with the injustice that Waltham Forest residents have been dealt by being denied a voice. Cllr Bob Sullivan stated, as quoted in an article in the Waltham Forest Guardian:

“The planning application was granted by Newham Council. Who decided they could impose on us more noise and pollution without consulting us? How arrogant.”

Cllr Qureshi who led on this issue showed his committment on the councils role in cutting carbon emissions, stating:

"This problem will not go away. It is going to stay with us and we need to fight against it.”

Congratulations to the Leyton and Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats, and to Labour and the Conservatives who will now be working on this as a community issue in the all party group for the benefit of the residents. It is refreshing to see a responsible all party council leading by example, putting their residents and the environment on the agenda, and not ignoring the erosion of quality of life, health and environment.

The full details of the original motion submitted are displayed beneath:

NOTICES OF MOTION

A. Expansion of London City Airport

Notice of the above Motion was given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13.
Councillor F. Qureshi will move; Councillor R. Sullivan will second

This Council recognises resident concern over the expansion of London City Airport, and believes that the increased number of flights using the airport – and the associated noise nuisance and environmental impact - is detrimental to Waltham Forest residents.

Therefore this Council requests that the Chief Executive:

· Carries out an immediate investigation into what Waltham Forest Council knew about London City Airport expansion and flight path changes, and what action was taken on the Council’s behalf.

· Writes to the Mayor of Newham, condemning the lack of consultation and their decision to allow further expansion of London City Airport, stressing the negative impact this decision has had on residents of Waltham Forest.

· Writes to the Mayor of London asking why he supported the expansion of London City Airport and what consideration was given to the detrimental impact of the expansion on residents of Waltham Forest.

· Write to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and NATS to ask what action they took to consult residents of Waltham Forest on the changes to flight paths and London City expansion.

· Asks the EU commissioner to investigate the expansion of London City Airport and the impact it has had on residents of Waltham Forest and East London.

· Investigates the option of Waltham Forest launching its own legal action against Newham Council over the non-consultation on the expansion of London City Airport.

This Council requests that the Chief Executive reports his findings back to councillors at the earliest opportunity.

Wanstead Lib Dem Meeting: LCY Growth Flies in the Face Of Climate Obligations

With so many new residents (46,000 additional residents in the new noise contour alone) now being affected by London City Airports operations we felt it would be a good time to post the airports Forecast Annual Air Transport movements. These are available in the airports growth plan which is available in full here. Please click on the image beneath to view the data.

LCY adds a comment to the above figures as follows:

"LCY believes that the theoretical capacity of its runway, operating for the equivalent of about 14 hours a day, five full and two half days a week, would be in the order of 215,000 aircraft movements per year." p18-19 LCY growth plan.

Wanstead & Leyton Lib Dem Meeting

These plans were discussed at the Liberal Democrat Meeting in Leyton last friday in the presence of Wanstead and Leyton Lib Dems and MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford and London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon. FTF and HACAN were asked to speak as guests at the meeting organised by Cllr Qureshi to address the issues of growing aircraft noise and pollution over the borough.

A conservative councillor was also present at the meeting and there was committment between both parties to work together on this growing community issue.

Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP said:

"The doubling of flights at London City flies in the face of EU and UK commitments to combat climate change. In making local people's lives a misery it also threatens to breach European standards on air pollution and noise limits."

"I will continue to oppose Heathrow and London City expansion by taking the fight to Brussels. The EU cares more about Londoners' health than Whitehall, Town Hall or City Hall."

Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon stated that:

"Boris Johnson talks about improving the environment for Londoners but his real record is totally different. It is a disgrace that he has given his full support to the doubling of flights out of London City Airport."

"At City Hall I will do everything I can to persuade the Mayor to change his mind on this vital issue."

More details of the meeting can be found here.

TONIGHT! FTF & HACAN Talk at Leyton & Wanstead Lib Dems THIS Friday

Fight the Flights with it's alliance partner HACAN will be attending a Leyton and Wanstead Lib Dem meeting to give a talk on the effects of London City Airport and other flight expansion over East London on:

Friday 2nd October, 7pm

Quaker Meeting Hall, Bush Road, E11

All Welcome
Nearest tube: Leytonstone

If you require any further information please contact the Lib Dems , or ourselves if it is campaign related.

London City Airport and the CAA were asked by the Lib Dems to attend the meeting, but sadly both declined this opportunity to talk to you, the residents who have to live with the decisions they make and the impact of their operations.