The Hounslow Green Party has long campaigned in opposition to many aspects of the Heathrow Airport operation. This is as long as I have been a member (about 20 years) and probably long before that as well.
This campaigning has often been in conjunction with other groups and political parties. The groups include HACAN (Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise), BashR3 (Brentford &Hounslow Stop #Heathrow Expansion) and Friends of the Earth. The political parties have included the Lib Dems – I recall Vince Cable marching – and John McDonnell of Labour speaking eloquently – and Zac Goldsmith of the Conservatives resigning his seat.
The protests we have attended have come in many forms:
- An amble round the Heathrow boundary
- A die in at Heathrow terminal 5
- Cycle rides in the pouring rain
- Outside the courts of justice to support the Friends of the Earth legal case
- Planting flags on the flight path in Osterly Park
- Marching along the length of the planned 3rd runway
- Becoming part owner of land of the 3rd runway
One of the most surprising interventions was when we found our way into a Conservative Party meeting in 2010 when David Cameron came to Brentford drumming up support for the marginal Brentford and Isleworth seat. We managed to get a question in about the 3rd runway – and to our surprise the answer was that the Conservatives were re-considering their pro 3rd runway position – which may have subsequently helped them win the seat. And delayed a third runway for at least a decade.
Working in coalitions with others has in some cases lead to campaigning on the lowest common denominator – such as “No airport expansion” – whereas the Green Party position is clearly for a drastic reduction in flights, no Heathrow 3rd runway and no night flights to help us get a better nights’ sleep.
Another differentiator between the Hounslow Green Party position has been on reasons for opposing the Heathrow Third Runway. As in its name, HACAN, was primarily about noise. Others highlighted on air pollution. The Hounslow Green Party have always had a strong stance in opposing aviation for climate reasons. More recently the climate reason has come more to the fore with other groups, as it becomes clearer and clearer that we cannot just go on this way and meet any climate targets.
After all this activity, the outcome is mixed. Third runway discussions started in the 1980s and it is unlikely to have flights on it before 2040. Heathrow noise has somewhat reduced with no Concorde and other planes having got quieter. Air pollution on approach roads, such as the A4/M4 corridor through Brentford has got better.
But there is a lot left to do, with the current Labour government re-starting their proposals to build the 3rd runway. The local Labour position of “A better not bigger Heathrow” appears quite hypocritical. Aviation is still having a large impact on the climate emergency worldwide. Join us to continue campaigning!
Tony Firkins
6 June 2025