The planned expansion of Heathrow supported by Chancellor Rachel Reeves would lead to historical buildings, homes and businesses in nearby Harmondsworth being demolished.
Reeves backing of a third runway at Heathrow has divided local residents, as plans are set to be achieved ‘in a decade’.
Criticism has also been drawn before yesterdays announcement confirming backing for the expansion plans.
City London News spoke to Kay, who lives locally and works at The Crown pub in the village, about the impact of a third runway on her.
Stop Heathrow Expansion signs seen around the village. Source: Zhara Keogh
What is your view on the Heathrow expansion?
“To be honest I don’t agree with it, I don’t think we need it.
“Also, I will lose my home, my village, and most of this village will be decimated or no longer exist.”
What will happen to The Crown Pub business?
“This business will remain, the perimeter fence will be at the back of the garden, but there will be no more village.
“There will be a few houses left in the village, so probably the business will be okay until the runway opens and then there will be no business.
“There won’t be any local people, and this is a local people’s pub.”
The Crown Pub will be impacted by the loss of local customers. Source: Zhara Keogh
What is the local community doing to try and stop the expansion?
“There’s a massive community for [it], and a massive community against [it], so it’s half and half.
“There’s the Stop Heathrow Expansion, the SHE, and some other local community groups that are doing their best.
“There’s a local neighbour who used to live here that’s moved away now, who was quite humorous in his opposition to the expansion, so much so he parked his van in the tunnel many years ago and was arrested.”
What specific negative impacts do you oppose?
“My own personal opinion is the fact that local areas are full of history, they’re all historic Heathrow villages.
“Five rivers will either need to disappear or be diverted. All the local people will have to move.
“There’s fishing rivers that will disappear… I’ve personally got bats in my house that will need to be re housed as they are protected.
Source: Heathrow Expansion Consultation Report 2019: Proposed diversion of rivers
“Just look at the infrastructure; if you have small accident on the M4 or M25 the whole area is gridlocked.
“There’s no infrastructure so that’s going to be a massive issue – where are they going to put the M25? They say a tunnel or over the top – who knows? This has all been going on for 35 years.”
The Colne Brook is one of five rivers to be diverted. Source: Facebook Colne Valley Regional Park Community Page.
What are the local authorities doing in this time?
“The local properties, the value of the houses are very low considering what houses they are.
“I think the value of properties here are being kept artificially low.
“But a lot of people have moved here because they wanted a lovely village to live in and now it’s not going to be a lovely village anymore.
“It’s going to cost a fortune, they’re saying how many billions of pounds it’s going to cost, double it, triple it, then I’ll believe it. ”
Have they been in contact?
“We have the council saying, ‘Oh we’re going to challenge it’, but no one knocks at the door to talk about it.
“It’s sad, it’s really sad.”
Any other comments?
“Yeah, Rachel from Accounts, get out! You’re rubbish!”
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HeadlineHistoric village of Harmondsworth ‘will be decimated’ after government backs third Heathrow runway
Short HeadlineHistoric village 'will be decimated' if Heathrow expansion goes ahead
Standfirst'A lot of people have moved here because they wanted a lovely village to live in; now it's not going to be a lovely village anymore'
The planned expansion of Heathrow supported by Chancellor Rachel Reeves would lead to historical buildings, homes and businesses in nearby Harmondsworth being demolished.
Reeves backing of a third runway at Heathrow has divided local residents, as plans are set to be achieved ‘in a decade’.
Criticism has also been drawn before yesterdays announcement confirming backing for the expansion plans.
City London News spoke to Kay, who lives locally and works at The Crown pub in the village, about the impact of a third runway on her.
Stop Heathrow Expansion signs seen around the village. Source: Zhara Keogh
What is your view on the Heathrow expansion?
“To be honest I don’t agree with it, I don’t think we need it.
“Also, I will lose my home, my village, and most of this village will be decimated or no longer exist.”
What will happen to The Crown Pub business?
“This business will remain, the perimeter fence will be at the back of the garden, but there will be no more village.
“There will be a few houses left in the village, so probably the business will be okay until the runway opens and then there will be no business.
“There won’t be any local people, and this is a local people’s pub.”
The Crown Pub will be impacted by the loss of local customers. Source: Zhara Keogh
What is the local community doing to try and stop the expansion?
“There’s a massive community for [it], and a massive community against [it], so it’s half and half.
“There’s the Stop Heathrow Expansion, the SHE, and some other local community groups that are doing their best.
“There’s a local neighbour who used to live here that’s moved away now, who was quite humorous in his opposition to the expansion, so much so he parked his van in the tunnel many years ago and was arrested.”
What specific negative impacts do you oppose?
“My own personal opinion is the fact that local areas are full of history, they’re all historic Heathrow villages.
“Five rivers will either need to disappear or be diverted. All the local people will have to move.
“There’s fishing rivers that will disappear… I’ve personally got bats in my house that will need to be re housed as they are protected.
Source: Heathrow Expansion Consultation Report 2019: Proposed diversion of rivers
“Just look at the infrastructure; if you have small accident on the M4 or M25 the whole area is gridlocked.
“There’s no infrastructure so that’s going to be a massive issue – where are they going to put the M25? They say a tunnel or over the top – who knows? This has all been going on for 35 years.”
The Colne Brook is one of five rivers to be diverted. Source: Facebook Colne Valley Regional Park Community Page.
What are the local authorities doing in this time?
“The local properties, the value of the houses are very low considering what houses they are.
“I think the value of properties here are being kept artificially low.
“But a lot of people have moved here because they wanted a lovely village to live in and now it’s not going to be a lovely village anymore.
“It’s going to cost a fortune, they’re saying how many billions of pounds it’s going to cost, double it, triple it, then I’ll believe it. ”
Have they been in contact?
“We have the council saying, ‘Oh we’re going to challenge it’, but no one knocks at the door to talk about it.
“It’s sad, it’s really sad.”
Any other comments?
“Yeah, Rachel from Accounts, get out! You’re rubbish!”
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