Heathrow expansion an outrage for the environment and Londoners

2.18.43pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 12th Dec 2006

Sarah campaigning against a Third Runway with Susan Kramer MP and Richmond Council Leader Serge Lourie in June

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford, who has campaigned consistently and vigorously against the government's plans to build a Third Runway at Heathrow, has expressed her deep opposition to the government's anticipated confirmation of a green light for expansion.

The Department for Transport is expected to publish a progress report on its aviation industry white paper on Thursday (14th December) but Gordon Brown has already indicated he will give the Third Runway his blessing.

According to Friends of the Earth, aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide in the UK and carbon dioxide emissions from Heathrow flights will rise by a further 40% if the runway is built by 2017.

Baroness Ludford commented:

"Giving the green light to Heathrow expansion exposes the hollowness of the government's so-called commitment to tackling climate change. We are in fact seeing the Blair's government's true colours - zero respect for the environment, zero respect for Londoners."

"No wonder trust in government is so low. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown profess to support the recent Stern review warning of massive environmental, human and economic costs from global warming, caused partly by with aircraft emissions. Yet just a few weeks later they say airport expansion is necessary for economic growth!

"Heathrow airport is also already in breach of EU limits for nitrogen dioxide pollution, so quite how the government imagines that it can meet EU law with a dramatic increase in the number of flights is a mystery. No doubt they will fiddle the figures to make it all add up."

"Once again we will have to ask the EU to step in to force the government to meet its environmental obligations."