Heathrow Referendum

Overview

Under successive administrations, Richmond Council has sought to involve local people in decision-making and in the development of ideas for the improvement of their localities across the borough.

As part of this, from 22 April - 16 May 2013 Richmond Council invited local residents to have their say on a potential expansion of Heathrow Airport in the borough’s first local referendum.

At the same time, residents in Hillingdon were also asked the same questions by their local authority.

Over the four week voting period 342,514 residents across both boroughs were invited to cast their vote on two questions:

1. Should a third runway be built at Heathrow?
2. Are you in favour of more flights into and out of Heathrow?

In total 140,516 returned their vote; an overall turnout of 41%.

The results show that an overwhelming majority of residents in both boroughs (72%) are against a third runway and 73% do not want to see any more flights in or out of the airport.

Over 100,000 people answered ‘No’ to both questions.