Third Runway Now 'More Popular' With Locals Says Heathrow
Say first poll since parliamentary vote shows growing support
CGI image of how extended airport might look
New Populus polling released by Heathrow this Friday (22 September) shows support for the airport’s expansion plan remains strongest in local communities near the airport.
In Brentford & Isleworth where over 830 people were questioned, a total of 24 per cent said they 'strongly supported ' a third runway while 20 per cent said they 'somewhat' supported it.
However, in this area, more than half of those surveyed opposed expansion; a total of 27 per cent were' strongly 'opposed, and 29 per cent were 'opposed', while 13 per cent were 'somewhat opposed'. There is a strong anti-expansion campaign in this area.
Of all the fifteen constituencies surveyed, Ealing Southall which is close to Heathrow and has a high workforce living nearby, came in at 40 per cent showing strong support, followed by Feltham and Heston, also close to Heathrow, at 39 per cent 'strongly supporting' expansion.
Richmond and Twickenham showed the highest figures for strong opposition to the third runway, at 36 per cent ad 34 per cent respectively. This is one of the areas most active in campaigning against the runway.
In Ealing Central and Acton, the figure for 'strongly support' plus 'support' was close to 50 per cent, while 17 per cent 'strongly opposed' it.
However, the poll did not compare the findings with previous surveys. The airport says the latest poll shows that support is growing for expansion.
The polling results come as Heathrow confirms its second phase of consultation
will start in the New Year. Building upon its first consultation in early
2018, Heathrow will hold two further consultations in January and June
2019, where local people will be able to have their say on the airport’s
plans for expansion.
The Populus results are taken from the first local poll conducted since
June’s parliamentary vote on the Airports National Policy Statement,
where a majority of local MPs voted in favour of expanding Heathrow.
The polling shows that in the Prime Minister’s own constituency,
Maidenhead, a majority (56%) of residents support expansion. This support
grew by 6% from the start of 2018, in which time opposition to the airport’s
expansion dropped by 1% to 27%, according to Heathrow.
In total, over 12,500 residents from the constituencies of Maidenhead,
Spelthorne, Brentford & Isleworth, Feltham & Heston, Windsor,
Uxbridge & South Ruislip, Slough, Esher & Walton, Hayes &
Harlington, Beaconsfield, Ealing Central & Acton, Ealing North, Ealing
Southall, Richmond Park and Twickenham were interviewed for the poll.
September 25, 2018