I am writing in response to Dave Rothwell's recent letter regarding Heathrow expansion (Neighbourhood Views, February 4).
BAA is aware that the decision to expand Heathrow Airport has been a very difficult issue, particularly for residents who will be directly affected.
We intend to work closely with the local community as the planning process proceeds and provide as much information and support as possible.
At present, Heathrow, like many other areas in London, suffers relatively poor air quality. Some of this is due to emissions from
aircraft but the majority is related to road vehicles.
Air quality around the airport is slowly improving and there are several important developments that will help reduce pollution further over the next few years.
In 2010, the European Union is bringing in strict laws about the amount of Nitrogen Dioxide permitted in residential areas and at the same time, the emission standards for car and heavy good vehicles will become much tighter, meaning emissions from road vehicles will be cut.
Furthermore, there will be public transport improvements to the airport. By 2017, there will be more, faster trains on the Piccadilly Line, Crossrail will have been introduced and Heathrow AirTrack will potentially provide a rail link out to the south and west.
These developments mean that by 2015, air quality around Heathrow will have improved significantly.
Damon Hunt,
Head of Media - BAA.


I am outraged about the parking facilities in St Helens town centre.
I am a carer and have to park in Liverpool Street where there are a certain amount of parking bays that are permit holders only (only for the people who live there) there are also only a few parking bays that are for people to park for two hours.
As I go to my client seven mornings a week between 8 and 9am, leaving at around 4.30pm, these so called two hour parking bays are always full with people working in the area who do not have any permits to park there, which means I have to take a chance of getting booked for parking in a permit holders bay.
I have been stopped and told I am not allowed to park and should not park there again. My company have a lot of service users in St Helens and cares that are having the same problem.
Our manager has applied to St Helens Council for such permits to allow us as carers on call to use and was told they could not issue us with these passes as there are bays to park for up to two hours.
Lyn Poole,
St Helens.


I cannot believe that this council gladly lets cars on to the crematorium and cemetery in St Helens.
When visiting not only do you have to dodge cars while walking around the site, umpteen times I have seen tyre tracks on the grass very near to grave stones and sites, where it is obvious somebody has driven around another car that is parked next to a grave blocking their path.
Not only is this utterly disrespectful but surely it can be dangerous for people visiting loved ones graves?
There has been ample new parking provided for people who want to park and then God forbid walk into the cemetery!. I know there will be an argument for access for older people who find it difficult to walk to visit their dearly departed, but surely people have managed in the past when the old barriers used to stop cars accessing the site, and surely able bodied and younger people should walk in the cemetery not drive!! Its the height of laziness!
The problem is getting worse and it definitely needs addressing.
Name and address supplied.


By now you have probably seen or heard of us - 'Elles Belles: The Twirlie Girlies - either in the press or on notices.
We would like to congratulate and thank the St Helens Reporter and all their readers for the help and support they gave us to meet our target for Willowbrook Hospice.
Late in January 2009, we presented a cheque to Lady Kirsty Pilkington, Chair of Willowbrook Hospice Trustees for £10,400.
We had a wonderful time travelling on the busses and certainly drew the attention of the general public to the hospice movement.
Our bus passes were well used travelling through England's cities, towns, villages and beautiful countryside.
Our thanks go to everyone who made our campaign a roaring success.
Ella Coventry and Helen Moorhouse
The Twirlie Girlies.