A LOCAL environmentalist has slammed the council for being too slow in voicing its opposition to Heathrow Airport expansion.

Plans for a new third runway have attracted criticism from a wide range of sources and 12 boroughs under the flight path have formed a coalition, called the 2M group, to oppose expansion.

Neighbouring boroughs Ealing and Hillingdon are both members and both council's have held a series of meetings with residents to spread awareness about the impact of expansion.

But Harrow and nearby Brent have so far not joined.

Councillor Chris Mote, the departing leader of Harrow Council, said the council opposes the proposed third runway but officers are still getting to grips with Department for Transport consultation documents which were first made available to the public in late November.

Bernard Burns, of Harrow Friends of the Earth, said he thought residents had been let down by the council.

He said: "That's their job - to be aware of what's effecting Harrow and Harrow residents.

"The flight path that will be going over Harrow on one in four days will be the busiest flight path coming out of Heathrow."

Mr Burns said he was worried not enough people had contacted the council and local MPs about Heathrow expansion, meaning they did not see fit to organise a debate about it.

But the council has now declared its official opposition to plans by BAA, the private company which runs Heathrow, to build a third runway and a sixth terminal at the airport.

Councillor Susan Hall, portfolio holder for environment services, said the proposals could lead to more planes flying over Harrow.

She said: "We want to protect people in Harrow from the pollution and the noise. It can be very disruptive and we don't want that in the borough.

"We are now standing up and saying we oppose expansion."

But the DfT's public consultation on the proposals ended on Wednesday, February 27.

Daksha Hathi, 50, Alicia Avenue, Harrow, said: "There is huge opposition to the expansion of Heathrow, people are always protesting.

"It's good they have said this but it's a bit late in the day. It's like closing the barn door after the horse has bolted."

David Coxon, 42 of Whitehall Road, Harrow, said: "Harrow Council could do more to make residents aware of the flight paths and the expansion of the airport and how it could affect us.

"I don't know if my house is under the flight path or not and I think if there are going to be more planes I would like to know how much the noise and pollution could rise."

The Hillingdon Times, a sister paper of the Harrow Times, is a campaign against the expansion.

To learn more about the campaign and sign an online petition, visit www.hillingdontimes.co.uk What do you think about Heathrow expansion? Leave your comments below: