Heathrow Residents suffered human rights breach

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Jul 2003

Judgement released today reveals that the government has managed to persuade the European Court of Human Rights to partially alter its previous ruling over night flights into Heathrow.

But while it ruled that it was not competent to find there had been a breach of the right to peaceful enjoyment of their homes, it found that the government was guilty of a ten-year denial of justice in English courts. The High Court has previously called the government's behaviour misleading and devious.

Anti-third runway campaigner and London MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford commented:

"While I am disappointed for the residents who have to keep on their fight, this is also a big rebuff for a government that has so much contempt for its citizens that it uses their money as taxpayers to deprive them of a decent night's sleep."

"The government now has to deliver justice domestically in a context which has moved on, with EU law requiring reduction in aircraft noise and the Human Rights Act applying."

Tom Brake MP, LibDem aviation spokesman added:

"This judgement appears to confirm that the British justice system has failed Heathrow residents. I welcome the fact that they intend to continue their campaign."

"We must not lose sight of the impact of aviation on communities and the environment at a time when the government are proposing massive airport expansion."

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