Letter: Battle of Terminal 5
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Polly Toynbee's article (13 October) on the Heathrow Terminal 5 proposals is welcome, but unnecessarily pessimistic. T5 is by no means inevitable. The local councils fighting this enormous expansion of Heathrow have made several major dents in BAA's case.
And we aren't finished yet. We have not pulled out of the planning inquiry. We have only scaled down our operation, and will restore it in full as soon as we can put together the extra funding.
Doubling the size of Heathrow by building a fifth terminal is the most serious environmental threat to a large part of London and the Home Counties we have ever faced. To suggest that London as a commercial centre would be seriously damaged if T5 does not go ahead is scaremongering.
DAVID WILLIAMS
Leader of the Council
London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments