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Grayling’s team tried to smother Heathrow runway noise warning

The Sunday Times is reporting tomorrow that "Officials at the Department for Transport plotted to cover up warnings about the extra aircraft noise created by a third runway at Heathrow," it says,  continuing that "The six-page document — sent to Chris Grayling, the transport secretary — recommended blocking a plan to tell millions of households about the extra noise they could face from the airport’s £14bn expansion."Furthermore it reports: “Most of the people receiving this communication will not have previously engaged with the expansion of the airport. The possibility that people might be overflown is likely to create significant public disquiet and could cause previously supportive or neutral stakeholders to reconsider their position.”Very disturbing that officials could try to slant any "consultation" in this way. Full article at https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/graylings-team-tried-to-smother-heathrow-runway-noise-warning-psmxp0nzh but,  because it's behind their paywall I've quoted more than usual from it

Richard Carter ● 2790d3 Comments

Thanks for this. I do get The Times, though not on Sundays but I think my sub will get me into the site.The point I wanted to make is that when I went to one of the Putney Debates, week before last, which was all about the judiciary, one of the speakers, Joshua Rozenberg, read our a list of Grayling's blunders when he was Justice Secretary. Horrifying. Hard to accept that so flawed a politician should have power over my life.I also hold May to blame. Her fingerprints are all over this.

Elizabeth Balsom ● 2789d

It should do Elizabeth. I only read it online.

Lucille Grant ● 2789d

I've read it, Lucille, and it's appalling.I went through that Davies report and just about every page has facts which make it quite clear that expansion at Heathrow is just plain wrong, whether it's cost, environmental damage, pollution, noise, number of people affected. "But we'll recommend Heathrow nevertheless". Beggars belief.Do you read Alistair Osborne's column in the Times business section? For a few years he's battered Heathrow's flawed case - pointed out, for instance, that they pay out in dividends to their mostly foreign shareholders just about more than the profits. Has no effect, of course, but his cogent arguments make me feel better. At least someone in print understands.

Elizabeth Balsom ● 2789d