"No Third Runway for Heathrow" says London MEP

4.51.40pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 28th Oct 2005

Sarah campaigning against a third runway at Heathrow with Tony Little of Hilingdon Liberal Democrats

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford will speak out against the proposed third runway for Heathrow airport on Sunday (30.10.05), at a torchlight parade organised by the No Third Runway Action Group (NoTRAG).

The parade will line the proposed runway route, and is being organised to coincide with the close of the British Airport Authority's "master plan" consultation. Sarah Ludford said:

"Tony Blair claims that tackling climate change is a key priority for the UK Presidency of the EU, yet continues to back the expansion of Heathrow airport which would see carbon emissions and air pollution levels soar."

"Tackling global warming requires tough action, but this government just panders to the powerful airline industry lobby instead of developing a sustainable aviation and transport policy."

It is estimated that even without a third runway, 14,000 local residents would be exposed to levels of Nitrogen Dioxide that exceed EU limits by 2015. With the runway this figure would go up to 35,000. Sarah Ludford added:

"In order to expand Heathrow airport, the UK wants to wriggle out of EU air and noise pollution laws. I strongly support Notrag's determination to stop this happening."

"BAA and the UK government must listen to the views local residents have expressed in this consultation."

Notes

The Master Plan for Heathrow is a response to the 2003 Government White Paper Future of Air Transport. It reinforces the White Paper's conclusions in detailing plans for a third runway and sixth terminal to be built between 2015-20. The new runway and terminal would allow Heathrow to handle around 116 million passengers a year by 2030 as opposed to the 90-95 million passengers that the BAA anticipate Heathrow handling by 2015.

Figures are taken from Hillingdon Council Environmental Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee Report (19.09.02)