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Harborough Magna & Easenhall Website

Harborough Magna and Easenhall A.C.C.

Newsletter 1

Welcome to our first newsletter following the formation of YOUR action committee at the recent general Parish meeting.

 Why an action group? 

• To act as a central point for ALL villagers in matters associated with the threat of an airport the size of Heathrow within one mile of our village boundaries. 
   
  

• To plan cohesively any action required in law abiding but effective manner also supporting other Parishes.  To have an impact we need to get all villagers behind us.  Some believe within the village action is unnecessary, either because it isn’t going to happen or because the decision is already made.  
  
  

• We do not believe that.  We can win: we will make sue we have done everything to make that possible.  If we do not win, well at least we will have had a damm good try!  The more of us that try the more chance we will have. We would welcome any comments, concerns, queries or suggestions.  This is YOUR committee to help us ALL fight this threat.  YOUR two official contact points are our Chairperson Ian Bentlett 833454 or our Secretary Andrea Seaman 833488.  You can of course also contact any other member of the committee who are identified within this letter.  If we do not know the answer we will find it out.  
  

 Your committee has put together the following facts and information about the Airport which are in addition to those that are stated in the official documents.

 You will receive a Newsletter as often as we have news to provide.  We are in  lose contact with similar committees in Monks Kirby, Pailton and Church Lawford. The Church Lawford web site is superb www.churchlawford.org.uk if you wish to have a look.

The Rugby Borough and Warwickshire councils have commissioned a report by specialist consultants into the airport plans.  They are due to report their findings toward the end of the consultation period in November but will drip-feed information as they proceed.  We will keep you informed.

FACTS:

The airport will be 8x the size of Birmingham and on your doorstep.  The same size as Heathrow and operational by 2011.  The runways are almost double the length of Birmingham.

• Predicted level of peak time take off is EVERY 30 SECONDS. 
  
  
• 175000 passengers will use the airport every day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.  That’s 64 million passengers every year passing within a five miles of your doorstep BEFORE they reach the airport boundary.
  
  
• The new airport will be a major Freight hub and as such it is probable flights will be day and night.
  
  

• It is not just the Airport that requires building, more residential and Commercial requirements will be needed for miles around the actual airport. 
  
  

• Pollution and noise will affect a twenty mile radius.  Based on Heathrow Statistics Harborough Magna is predicted to have decibels levels of 69 and Easenhall 72.  The  recognised acceptable maximum before the noise becomes unacceptable is 57. 
  
  

• Rugby is seen as better for the environment than Heathrow or Birmingham Runway expansion.  
  

Why the New Airport is a serious proposition:

• Current road systems can be readily upgraded. M1/M6/M40/M45.
  
   

• Takes away traffic burden from the South, Birmingham and East Midlands. 
  
  

• Current Rail systems are being upgraded for high-speed trains. 
  
  

• New road and rail freight terminal at Crick, DIRFT, is in place and could be enlarged. 
  
  

• Provides a wonderful opportunity to develop a Brownfield site called Birmingham airport (one of the governments priorities).
  
   

• Improved environmental situation over other options.
  
  

• Rugby is less densely populated than other options in Birmingham and South East.  Disturbing only 11000 people compared to over 100000 in Birmingham. 
  
  

• The New Airport is a sand and gravel site which combined with Rugby Cement means primary raw materials are readily available within the area. 
  
  

• Rugby is seen as the better environmental option.
  
  

Reasons why the New Airport may not be built:

• Loss of green belt.  Would this worry you if it were not your area? Probably not! 
  
  
• Noise and environmental concerns to residents in the area. Removing the noise and concerns from Birmingham will placate 100000 people compared to upsetting only 3500 directly and 7500 somewhat in Rugby. 
  
  
• Compulsory purchase of at least 125 properties.  111are required for Birmingham so the Government would not see any difference.
  

 If you were in government what would these assumptions prove.

RUGBY IS A FEASIBLE OPTION.

Important note: Professional advisers have advised us that you should NOT at this time return the NOP questionnaire due to the ability to misinterpret your answers deliberate or otherwise to be in favour of the New Airport.  If you wish to register your protest we have the information that has been provided by Church Lawford.  Basically this states:

• As many of us as possible should write, preferably in long hand. 
  
  

• Always pose a question rather than making a statement, we have a list of Possible questions if you require them.
  
  

• If you have not received a reply in 14 days send a reminder.
  
  

• Keep copies of your letter and replies they may be useful.
  
  

Action by you as Residents: WRITE A LETTER.

We hope to talk to many people as we deliver this newsletter. However there is a council meeting on Tuesday 10^th September and local councillors have drawn up A petition.  It would be great support if you can make sure you signed this petition before that date.  All Parish Councillors have a copy and the committee if you would like to contact them.

Contacts in the villages.

Your Parish Council chaired by Ruby Joyce and for Easenhall John Lockwood.

Committee members who can be contacted should you wish:

Key addresses to write to:

Copies of the consultation documents can be obtained by phoning 0845 100 5554 or by faxing 0870 122 6237.  If you have not got them we recommend you apply, these are free and you are entitled to five copies for wider circulation. 

Send mail to mark@harboroughmagna.org.uk with questions or comments about this web site.