Greens Step Up Campaign to Halt Airport Expansion in the South East

22 February 2008

"It is simply not possible to be both serious about tackling climate change and expanding airports: it has to be one or the other"

Green Party MEPs, councillors and members are stepping up the campaign to halt any further expansion of airports in the South East as a series of important consultations and announcements come together in 2008. Greens are also working with campaign groups fighting airport expansion plans at Heathrow, Stansted and Luton as well as the regional airports.

Despite overwhelming evidence that expanding aviation is incompatible with its policies to tackle climate change, the Government and its agencies are pressing on with plans that will open the door to large scale aviation growth, accompanied by more road building and more urban sprawl across the countryside. A second runway at Stansted would have a massive impact on rural north Essex, creating an airport larger than Heathrow is now. Plans to change flight stacks over Essex and Suffolk threaten many rural areas currently relatively free from jet noise.

A decision on the expansion of Stansted on its existing runway is expected soon following the public inquiry held in 2007. It is expected that Labour Ministers will probably rubber stamp expansion
The BAA are expected to lodge a planning application for a second runway at Stansted in 2008
A consultation on changes to flight paths and stacking over the south east has just begun and will run until May
The consultation on a third runway at Heathrow ends later this month
A rally at Westminster against these proposals is taking place on Monday 25 February, 7pm Central Hall.

Jean Lambert Green MEP for London, said:

" By pressing ahead with a third runway at Heathrow, the Government is further demonstrating its double-standards, contradictions and failures on climate change. The Government's own audit committee has said it will be impossible to meet future emissions targets. It is simply not possible to be both serious about tackling climate change and expanding airports: it has to be one or the other ".

Dr Caroline Lucas, Green MEP for South East England said:

"This Government's continued commitment to a massive programme of expansion within the aviation sector is grossly irresponsible. And this latest admission from NATS just proves that the public is expected to passively accept more planes in our skies and surging pollution levels for years to come."

Her comments came as national air traffic control company NATS announced that a shake up of Britain's airspace would lead to thousands more flights taking off from London's busiest airports each year - and an increase in CO2 emissions".

Cllr. James Abbott, Essex Green Party Co-ordinator said:

"The 12 million people who live in the South East of England are facing a further deterioration in quality of life and further damage to the environment if these proposals go ahead. Noise, transport congestion, air quality and light pollution are already serious issues - yet the Labour Government is planning for airport and aviation expansion when it knows these will add to the stress people and wildlife are suffering. The argument that aviation growth can just continue year after year is as stupid as it is unsustainable.

The Green Party is working with all like minded groups to say to the Government "enough is enough". Why should people in rural Essex and neighbouring counties have to suffer even more intrusive noise and clogged up roads so that irresponsible subsidised low cost airlines operating out of Stansted can expand further."

Georgina Bloomfield, Media Officer for Jean Lambert MEP 020 7407 6280
Melissa Freeman, Contact for Dr Caroline Lucas MEP 0207 407 9935 / 07950 382149

The Stop Heathrow Expansion rally will take place on Monday 25 February 2008 at 7pm in Central Hall, Westminster, corner of Tothill St and Storey's Gate. Caroline Lucas will be speaking. For more information go to http://www.hacan.org.uk

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