2M group doubles as Windsor and Maidenhead airport protest spreads
The 2M group of local authorities opposed to Heathrow expansion – of which the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough was one of the pioneers - has now doubled in size following a surge in membership among London boroughs.
The group - which took its name from the 2 million residents represented by the original 12 authorities including Windsor and Maidenhead - now represents a combined population of 4 million people after Brent, Harrow, Lewisham, Southwark and Sutton added their voice to the protest.
Cllr David Burbage, leader of the council said; "This is really good news for all of us who are campaigning against unsustainable expansion of Heathrow. The more local authorities throw their weight behind the protest the more likely our voices are to be heard.
"The fact that the 2M group now represents four million people shows the widespread nature of the concern, and together we are demonstrating our opposition to Heathrow's potential impact on the many people who would be affected if the current proposals are implemented.
"Under the 2M banner we will now be stepping up our call for a complete review of the airports white paper. It's time to look at the alternatives to BAA's demand for more runway capacity."
Consultation on the government's proposals for a third runway and increased use of existing runways closed on February 27. A copy of the Windsor and Maidenhead borough's response can be viewed on the council's website www.rbwm.gov.uk
Transport secretary Ruth Kelly is expected to announce her decision in the early summer. The Heathrow expansion plans are equivalent to building a new airport the size of Gatwick in the most densely populated part of the country.
The full 2Mmembership comprises the London Boroughs of Brent, Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond, Southwark, Sutton and Wandsworth, the boroughs of Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead and South Bucks District Council.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
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