London Runway Capacity - What to Do?

In the face of Government opposition to a third runway at Heathrow (should that be pronounced ROW?) many views have been expressed about how to address lack of runway capacity.  Yesterday the London Evening Standard, London's "local paper" printed the following article: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/london/stansted-heathrow-and-gatwick-airports-all-need-extra-runways-7785340.html

What is evident is that most everyone agrees that there is a need to have more capacity if the UK is to keep up with meeting the 21st century's expected demand for air travel - whether for tourism or business needs.  The UK is notorious for NIMBY attitudes (Not In My Back-Yard) and understanably new airport runways bring out the NIMBY battalions in droves.  However, when national interests are at stake, subject to proper compensation, assistance in relocation and environmental considerations for those of the public most affected, there should be a fast track to getting the job done.

I live under the flight path for Heathrow 12 miles away and on a busy day planes come over approximately every 90 to 120 seconds.  The 120 second gaps are for the super jumbo planes whose passage create huge turbulence for following aircraft.  Today, there are no aircraft so the flight path has been changed and its very quiet.  I have no complaints  about that! However,  I have neighbours who used to be rabid HACAN  supporters who oppose any expansion at Heathrow, but I would like to think that the economic recovery and the future competitivenes of UK PLC has perhaps cooled their ardour. 

I was happy to see in the Standard article that the idea about using Northolt I highlighted last November is now being considered.  Furthermor, the Thames Estuary proposal is receiving the thumbs down from many experts and bankers alike (£50 billion and 20 years to achieve).   Even the head of HACAN has apparently said that the Estuary airport would wipe out 100,000 jobs around Heathrow.

Well, experts and pro and con partisans can propose and discuss all they like, but until the Government's Transport policy is actually announced UK aviation is in limbo.  All we can do short term is wait and worry whether London and its airports can cope with the influx of Olympic visitors.