 |
|
Lib Dems call on government to abandon Runway 2 Public Enquiry
March 30, 2009 10:08 PM
Originally published by Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats
Originally published by Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats
The public enquiry into plans for a second runway at Stansted should be abandoned, as air traffic numbers through the airport continue to fall. That was the call from Lib Dem Shadow Transport Secretary Norman Baker MP when he visited the Essex Airport.
Mr Baker brought with him a letter from Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg MP asking Geoff Hoon and the government to abandon the enquiry. Mr Baker met with Stewart Wingate, Managing Director of Stansted.
He discussed the recent Competition Commission report recommending the sale of Stansted and reiterated the firm opposition of the Liberal Democrats to a second runway at Stansted Airport. He described the idea as "hugely damaging, nationally to the battle against climate change, and locally to the many communities who would be severely affected".
Following the visit to the airport, Norman Baker met Carol Barbone and Peter Riding from www.stopstanstedexpansion.com at The Three Horseshoes, Molehill Green to hear about the community campaign against the airport expansion. He congratulated the team who were at fighting on behalf of the local community.
Norman Baker, a committed environmentalist, left by train to go to Liverpool from Stansted Mountfitchet, after a public meeting at Stansted Day Centre, where he answered a number of questions relating to his transport portfolio from the guests.
At the meeting, Mr Baker said: "The decision to delay the inquiry on the second runway is welcome and the government must now take account of the widespread public opposition to further airport expansion. The Government must now scrap the G2 public enquiry."
"The Liberal Democrats will continue to work to stop this expansion from being forced upon local communities and the country at large". He quoted from the letter from party leader, Nick Clegg: "I am writing to ask you to abandon the public inquiry into plans for a second runway at Stansted…to rethink a decision which is environmentally disastrous….especially since it remains unclear whether any new owner (of Stansted) will wish to continue with a second runway and passenger demand at Stansted has fallen by 20%."
Chelmsford Lib Dem Stephen Robinson commented: "A second runway would add to pollution, climate change and congestion across Essex, including Chelmsford. With air traffic falling, a second runway at Stansted would be a "white elephant". The Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for an aviation policy that acknowledges the damaging effect that aviation has on climate change"
Related Links
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats