BAA Involved in Heathrow Runway Secrecy
Allegations have emerged that the Government has recently been discussing in secret, with BAA, details of a new runway at London's Heathrow Airport, which would generate an additional 500 flights over the capital on a daily basis. BAA, the airport operator now owned by Spanish firm Ferrovial, has received from the Department of Transport fundamental information relating to Heathrow's expansion; half a year prior to its due release into the public domain.
The Department has additionally permitted the opinions of senior workers at BAA to impact on recent tests into whether a new, third runway at the UK's busiest airport would shatter current noise levels.
According to The Times, 34 BAA employees are currently working alongside civil servants; their input influential in swaying the balance positively towards go-ahead being granted for the new development. The Department, while having provided BAA with the relevant documentation, has not done the same for those opposed to the expansion.
BAA's Head of Strategy for Heathrow, Mike Forster, disclosed at a conference, held recently, that the results had been viewed by him; describing them as "encouraging".
However, a collective of 12 anti-runway authorities, local to the London area, has this week written to Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell, deeply questioning if contravention of the Civil Service code has been caused by the Department's actions with BAA. The Group spokesman is Edward Lister, the leader of Wandsworth Council.
He states: "This looks like a very serious case of collusion between a government department and a private company that stands to gain massively from expanding Heathrow. The Government now runs the risk that the results of its air pollution studies will be tainted. The air pollution work is being paid for with public money. Giving the results first to BAA gives them an unfair head start on everyone else."
Regarding the new runway, BAA is hopeful of submitting a planning application in 2008; its opening potentially then occurring nine years later. Logistically speaking, provision would need to be made for another flight path to be opened up, while, at ground level, potentially 700 homes would need to be demolished; these including eight buildings with Grade II listed status
A spokesman for BAA stated that the firm was providing the Department with informative input regarding the effects of noise and pollution, with factors examined including utilising more up-to-date aircraft types and encouraging more use of the transport links to/from Heathrow. He added: "If we had not seen the results we would be operating in the dark. If you don't see them, how do you know how to change the scenario?"
Further comment came from a spokesman for the Department, who added: "We are working with BAA on the project. It wouldn't be sensible or indeed possible to do the work without the expertise of the airport operator."
The Spanish firm Ferrovial is counting on approval being given for the runway, in order to capitalise on its £10 billion investment.
Source - Airport International Newsdesk
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