Murad at the anti-expansion flashmob during the opening day of Heathrow Terminal 5

In the past few months, I have been spending much time attending anti-Heathrow expansion rallies where I listened to local residents voicing their concerns about Heathrow expansion.

Before submitting its response to the plans for Heathrow expansion, the Environment Committee looked into the possible effects of expansion on London’s environment and economy. We took evidence from BAA, several London councils, Future Heathrow, HACAN and Boeing and visited the villages of Sipson and Harmondsworth.

If plans to build a third runway would go ahead, the entire village of Sipson will be wiped of the map with 700 homes being demolished. St Mary the Virgin Church in picturesque Harmondsworth Village would be demolished to make way for the new runway.

The London Assembly openly opposed the expansion of Heathrow through a motion tabled in April last year and calling for an extension of the Government's consultation period over the expansion of Heathrow Airport in March 2008. 

I will continue my opposition against Heathrow expansion because the noise pollution along with the possible destruction of local villages demonstrates that there are few arguments that can justify the growth of the airport.

The light blue area shows the expansion of Heathrow and indicated how Sipson and the majority of Harmondsworth will be lost