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Harmondsworth priest voices concerns over Heathrow runway proposal

03 July 2015

DEMOTIX

Still standing: St Mary the Virgin, Harmondsworth, is expected to be spared demolition if a third runway goes ahead

Still standing: St Mary the Virgin, Harmondsworth, is expected to be spared demolition if a third runway goes ahead

THE priest of a west London parish which stands to be partly demolished if a third runway were to be built at Heathrow has spoken about his congregation's anxiety.

The Vicar of St Mary's, Harmondsworth, Canon Amatu Christian-Iwuagwu, said that, although he did not take a position for or against building a third runway, the Government had failed his parishioners by delaying a final decision on the issue, and leaving the village in limbo.

He was speaking after the Airports Commission delivered its report on Wednesday, which recommends a new runway at Heathrow rather than at the rival airport Gatwick.

As the Government has not committed itself to implementing the Commission's recommendations, and the Prime Minister made a public pledge in 2009 never to expand Heathrow, many have speculated that the row over building a new runway will continue for years.

Canon Christian-Iwuagwu said that the uncertainty hanging over his parish had had a terrible effect. "People have become unstable, spiritually and psychologically. When I deal with my parishioners, I bear that in mind," he said. "It's not a normal, ordinary parish church. It could be described as eccentric because of the level of anxiety."

Because some members of the congregation of St Mary's oppose the new runway, and others support it, Canon Christian-Iwuagwu said his position as parish priest was to uphold both sides of the argument. "There's a lot of tension between those who are for and those who are against, especially in the parochial church council, and after the service in the hall."

The Department for Transport first published proposals for expanding Heathrow in 2006, but government support was withdrawn after the Liberal Democrat Conservative coalition took power in 2010.

In 2012, the Airports Commission was established to investigate how to increase airport capacity, but was told not to report back until after this year's election.

Canon Christian-Iwuagwu said that he was sure the decades-old issue would be kicked into the long grass once more. "The main issue for me is that the Government have not been able to come forth and tell us the truth.

"They have allowed the agony of waiting for this report, and now the Government is going to go through the process again. They should come out and tell the people yes or no, and let the people rest. That's my greatest concern - the people will go through this agony for the next ten years, and eventually they are still going to have to leave their properties."

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