More local support for Heathrow expansion than opposition: Poll

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Poll: More local support for Heathrow expansion than opposition

LONDON, England - Polling published today shows that over half of residents in 12 constituencies close to Heathrow support the expansion of the airport. Around a third say they oppose.

12,004 residents from Spelthorne, Richmond Park, Brentford & Isleworth, Feltham & Heston, Windsor, Ealing North, Ealing Southall, Uxbridge & South Ruislip, Slough, Hayes & Harlington, Beaconsfield and Twickenham answered questions about their feelings towards Heathrow’s plans and the airport more generally. The results show that 57% of residents feel positive about the airport while 34% have a neutral feeling with only 8% saying they have a negative feeling towards it.

The research is the first since the Airports Commission made a unanimous and unambiguous recommendation to Government that Heathrow should expand. It highlights a strong level of local support in the majority of the constituencies surveyed. This further demonstrates the importance of Heathrow to local residents, those mostly affected by the airport and who have traditionally been perceived as opposing the plans.

In its report this summer the Airports Commission said that expanding Heathrow is the only way to connect the UK to the growth markets of the world. Chair of the Commission Sir Howard Davies urged Government to make an early decision or risk the UK falling behind as an economy:

“The Commission urges the Government to make an early decision on its recommendations. Further delay will be increasingly costly and will be seen, nationally and internationally, as a sign that the UK is unwilling or unable to take the steps needed to maintain its position as a well-connected open trading economy in the twenty first century.”

Full story http://www.eturbonews.com/63529/poll-more-local-support-heathrow-expansion-opposition

-- eTN 2015-09-09