Hillingdon Council Leader Cllr Steve Tuckwell has restated the council’s firm opposition to Heathrow’s proposed third runway after the national Conservative Party backed expansion.
He said the council’s position has not changed and remains a long-standing, cross-party policy focused on protecting local residents. While acknowledging Heathrow’s importance to the local and national economy, he stressed that economic growth must be sustainable and cannot come at the expense of the communities that live around the airport.
Tuckwell said Hillingdon supports investment, enterprise and job creation, and wants local people to benefit from prosperity. However, as Heathrow’s host borough, the council believes it has a duty to defend residents from the impacts of expansion, including pressure on homes, roads, the environment and quality of life. He argued that those most affected are often overlooked in national infrastructure debates, even though they would bear the consequences of a third runway.
He added that residents’ concerns are genuine, justified and must be properly heard in any decision about Heathrow’s future. While the national Conservative Party can set its own policy, Tuckwell said his role is to put Hillingdon residents first. He reaffirmed that the council would continue to oppose expansion strongly, while also engaging constructively with Heathrow and government where it serves local interests.
The message was clear: Hillingdon welcomes growth, but only if it is sustainable and works for residents now and for future generations.
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