The fight to save Staines Moor

 We have told BAA Ltd that we oppose its plans to route the new Heathrow Airtrack railway through Staines Moor, common land north of Staines.

Staines Moor is of exceptional value to the public and it would be an outrage if it were to be devastated by the proposed railway.

The Moor dates back to medieval times and is a unique area of open country sandwiched between the M25 motorway and the Staines reservoirs, on the edge of conurbations.  It is an oasis and a refuge for people and for wildlife.

People have the right to walk and ride over the whole area.  Commoners have rights to graze stock here.

Because this is common land, it may only be used for another purpose if equally advantageous land is provided in exchange.  Obviously this is impossible.  There is only one Staines Moor.  No other land will have the history or the well-established habitat, flora and fauna of Staines Moor.  It is irreplaceable.

So we have called on BAA to abandon its plans to route the airtrack railway over the Moor and to think again.