LETTER: Local councillor and climate campers perspective on the Heathrow Climate Camp

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 16th Aug 2007

Dear editor, I arrived yesterday, like many campers by bicycle - in fact my locally made Brompton. Like most arrivals on Monday I was stopped and searched. According to the police paperwork this was because I could have been carrying an offensive weapon.

Of course the real security risk to my constituents - which the police cannot protect us against - are so many planes flying over our homes. BAA, and seemingly the government, remain determined to increase these dangers with a third runway.

Time is no longer on our side if we are to get a handle on the worst impacts of climate change. Whilst government pontificates, London boroughs like Hounslow must block further growth in aviation and lead our communities in a rapid transition to low carbon living. The technological solutions, as demonstrated at the climate camp this week, are there for the taking, we just need to get on with the implementation.

Andrew Dakers

Councillor for Brentford Ward

Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats

• An edited version of this letter was published in the Evening Standard