Archived press release

'enough is enough mr prescott' as t5 inquiry enters third year

14 May 1997

Protestors have been fighting BAA's proposals for many years, and during the inquiry have exposed numerous inadequacies in BAA's case [1] including:

. BAA's inaccurate forecasts for the number of passengers likely to be using T5;
. BAA's inability to convince the Inquiry Inspector that T5 will not lead to a third runway;
. An economic case for T5 which does not include any economic costs or 'disbenefits';
. Exaggerated claims over the number of jobs created by T5;
. Destruction of London's Green Belt both within and beyond the airport perimeter;
. T5 is dependent on unpopular widening of the M25;
. M4 widening would not be proposed without T5;
. BAA's inadequate proposals for public transport and statement that the necessary public transport would jeopardise T5 by making it 'financially marginal';
. the failure of BAA's consultants to report the finding of rare plant species on the site of the M25 Spur Road.

Two events will take place to mark the anniversary on Friday. First, at the Ramada Hotel, Bath Road,where the inquiry has been taking place, a joint press conference will highlight how the case for

Terminal 5 has been undermined by the efforts of local voluntary groups [2]. Representatives of the various groups and the local authorities also opposing T5 will be present. A giant billboard will be parked in front of the hotel as a backdrop to the proceedings.

Then, at 11.00am, a community walk starting from the nearby village of Longford will converge on Green Belt land threatened by the proposed M25 Spur Road that would serve T5. Here, banners will be dropped from trees telling the deputy Prime Minister that "Enough is Enough".

Tony Kreppel of West London Friends of the Earth said:

"Building Terminal 5 would be an environmental disaster leading to demands for a third runway and the prospect of never ending expansion. I hope the new Government realises that enough is enough and that we cannot continue along this destructive and unsustainable route - local people have had enough."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] A 4 page brief including a basic factsheet and useful quotes from the inquiry is available from Paul de Zylva at the FOE London Office (see Contacts below).

[2] West London Friends of the Earth is a member of the Alliance Against T5 which includes:
Surrey Friends of the Earth London Wildlife Trust
CPRE - London HACAN - Heathrow Association for the Control FighT5 of Aircraft Noise,
Stanwell Residents Association Longford Residents Association
Egham Residents Association TRAC - Terminal & Runway Action Committee
FLAME - Runnymeade Residents Association pledged to Fight Link-Roads and M25 Expansion

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