Mary Reid

I suppose we are quite lucky here in the southern end of the Royal Borough, because we are rarely disturbed by planes overhead. We used to be able to set our clocks by Concorde every Tuesday morning, but now that has gone over the rainbow it is remarkably peaceful around here.

My worry is that the peace may not last for much longer. Many of us objected to Terminal 5 at Heathrow, because we knew it would inevitably lead to proposals for a new runway. But we were constantly being told by the Government that Heathrow had to expand or it would lose its top place amongst the world's airports.

I never quite understood the argument. Heathrow is the Clapham Junction of the air - not so much a destination but more of a hub. A huge proportion of the planes that arrive at Heathrow disgorge people who are simply transferring to other flights out of the UK. The only benefit these passengers bring to London's economy is some additional local employment and the profit from airport fees. In contrast the planes pollute the atmosphere and make life in the flight paths unbearable.

I don't mind at all if Frankfurt or Dubai, or wherever, positions itself as the prime transfer point for the world's air travellers.

Now the London Assembly has produced a report which says much the same. For once I agree with Ken Livingstone, and his opposition to the expansion of Heathrow, but then Brian Paddick and Boris Johnson are equally opposed to it.