Roger Evans Listens & Puts Havering First

Yesterday, three of us from three different boroughs, went along to meet Roger Evans, GLA member at City Hall. Roger had kindly asked us along to present our argument against the expansion of London City Airport.

We hope we were able to convey to Roger not only our passion for our communities, but also our legitimate and grave concerns on the negative effects of expansion of London City Airport on South/East London and beyond.

Roger was exceptionally generous with his time with us yesterday, and he listened to the issues we raised. We could see that Roger cares about the residents of Havering and how future expansion and flight path changes may affect his borough, and he expressed his concern. We hope residents in Havering will feel able to approach Roger with their concerns, as he has invited them to do so on his blog. We all need to make the most of opportunities such as the one that Roger is offering for feedback and comments.

At the beginning of the meeting we had told Roger that if we were able to make him question at least one issue, which he had heard or been told, about London City Airport expansion prior to our presentation, then we would be very happy. We are happy.

Although we've thanked Roger privately, we'd like to thank him here too, for his time and consideration of the issues.

Roger Evans Blogs An Apology

It is important that we share the blog and link beneath with you.

Fair play to Roger for doing this, it took some courage to do after having made such strong comments about us previously on his blog. Emails were exchanged between Roger and FTF, and we do not intend to publish those as they are based on trust and confidentiality.

Roger has indeed emailed Anne-Marie of FTF, and a meeting is being arranged between the group and Roger. We hope that this will lead to a more positive working relationship in the future, even if it does end up being a case of agreeing to disagree, but we are optimistic and good willed.


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Roger Evans - City Hall Blog
Tuesday, April 21, 2009

I Was Wrong - And I Apologise

Since the weekend, I have received a large number of comments taking me to task for my remarks on Sunday. Anne-Marie Griffin from Fight The Flights has also contacted me by email. Behind the anger were some shocking stories from people who had to live close to the airport for years. I see now that coming on top of everything they have endured, my infamous 'Taliban' comment must have seemed like the last straw.It was a throwaway line, intended to liven up my report of Peoples' Question Time in March, but to some it looked unbelievably callous. I think I understand now, so:I am very sorry for the hurt that my ill considered words caused to local residents, including the people who made official complaints. It was unintentional but I realise that is no excuse. I also deeply regret the time it has taken for me to grasp the reality of this situation. I was wrong and I hope they can accept my apology.

In 20 years of political experience I have never reached a view based on pique - despite my reactions on Sunday afternoon. By training I am a scientist and a lawyer, and I'm usually too dispassionate, if anything. Some comments suggested I am in the pocket of the airport, but that is not the case.I have sought to keep my options open on this issue because I'm not sure if my constituents are winners or losers overall. There are those who work at the airport, rely on it for business, or use it to travel, and the view of economic development advisors is that it provides a boost for East London.

I want to protect peoples' livelihoods particularly in a recession.On the other hand, there are residents who are disturbed by noise and who have a right to a calm environment. So far the complaints in my postbag are few, but they have the potential to increase and I have noticed more overflying recently. It is a delicate balance to strike, with far reaching consequences.So I have asked Anne-Marie if she would be willing to meet me to put her case and share her experiences.

To ensure balance I will also be seeking a meeting with the airport management. And I would be interested in other views too - your comments are invited.

Flight Path Talk Was Blocked

Today's Report on the Romford Recorder

HAVERING Council has been accused of deliberately stifling criticism of controversial flightpaths over the borough.

Residents at the Hornchurch Area Committee meeting held at Langtons Junior School last Tuesday, April 7, were furious that the council twice delayed debate on proposals for increased aircraft flights over Hornchurch.

Under a proposal made by the National Air Transport Service, two flight paths from London City Airport would be re-directed over Hornchurch.

Coupled with the airport's plan to increase flights by 50-per-cent, this could spell a daily increase of 40 flights per day crossing the borough.

Yet when Havering Council had the chance to voice an opinion on these proposals, which many residents fear will create added noise and pollution, it did not respond to consultations, or invite residents to comment, the meeting heard.

Labour Leader Cllr Keith Darvill planned to raise a critical motion on the administration's inaction at a full council meeting in early February. But he never got the chance as the meeting was cut short because of snow.

He was stopped from raising the issue at the last council meeting in March, when yet again, it ran out of time.

Cllr Darvill will now have to wait until the end of July - six months after he first planned to raise the issue.

Hornchurch residents slammed the delay at the area committee meeting, with one saying: "I was at that council meeting and it's pretty obvious that the administration deliberately tried to fiddle it so that this hasn't been heard.

"They don't want to debate it, they just want a vote where they can steamroll it."

Cllr John Mylod said: "It was up for debate on two accounts and it was talked out. Instead, they dealt with silly things they probably shouldn't have."

Cllr Keith Darvill said he wanted the motion to be debated, rather than simply voted on. He said: "There was a delay on debate because of a long discussion on members' allowances, and then the Ombudsman report on Mark Cannon."

Leader of the Council, Cllr Michael White said later: "I have become increasingly aware of residents' concerns about the planned changes to flight paths and we will contribute to the NATs consultation on the flight paths."

"All motions are placed on the agenda after general business, voting, reports, questions and other business are debated. Unfortunately we didn't get time to debate this motion but it is listed as the first motion for the next time and I look forward to the debate.

Cameron fury at 'climate change Taliban' jibe

The Independent on Sunday have today reported on the story we recently covered on Roger Evan's GLA member calling the London City Airport anti-expansion campaigners, and other fellow attendees at the Flash Mob the 'climate change Taliban'. It seems that we were not the only ones to be deeply offended by his comments, for a variety of reasons. David Cameron is apparently not happy with Roger over it at all.

Roger Evans was also on LBC on Saturday morning as a guest of Ken Livingstone and the 'Taliban' comment was discussed. We were surprised that Ken who was AGAINST the expansion of London City Airport actually had sympathy for Rog. But more interesting was the statement from Rog that he had only had TWO complaints made to his blog, neither of which had names or addresses. Seems he still isn't being very genuine though: a series of formal complaints have gone into the Standards Board at City Hall and are due to be heard on 1st April. He failed to mention those. But Roger has yet again put his foot in it with his claims: we received an email from a resident today saying that they had indeed complained directly to Rog's blog and had provided a name and address. Well that directly contradicts his claim then.

Roger you really must learn to be more genuine and respect communities and fine upstanding citizens who pay your wages!

The Independent on Sunday 22 March 2009

Cameron fury at 'climate change Taliban' jibe

David Cameron yesterday slapped down a senior Tory who compared climate change activists to the Taliban, as he continued his attempt to green his party, despite the recession and opposition from sceptics.

Sources close to the Conservative leader described as "inappropriate" a website entry by Roger Evans, a London Assembly member, describing anti-airport campaigners as "the climate change Taliban".

And a spokesman for Boris Johnson, London's Mayor – who once compared concern about global warming to "Stone Age religion" – added: "This is not language that the Mayor would use."

The assembly's assessment sub-committee is now determining whether the remark should be investigated by its standards board.

Ironically, "the Taliban" is also the epithet privately used by green Tories for the party's climate change sceptics.

Last Tuesday Mr Cameron again emphatically sided with the environmental wing of his party during a regular private meeting with backbench MPs. He told them that the commitment to green issues would remain at the centre of Conservative policies.

Next week he is to have a special meeting with Dr Rajendra Pachauri, who – as chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – is leading scientific calls for tough action.

Environmentalists feared that the Conservatives would scale down their commitment after the sacking in January of Peter Ainsworth – one of the greenest MPs in parliament – as shadow Environment Secretary and his replacement by Nick Herbert, a founder of the pro-hunting Countryside Alliance.