Ken Livingstone visits Sipson before it is bulldozed and opposes airport expansion
http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=15712"Mayor opposes any further airport expansion in London and South East16-2-2008 104 The Mayor said there is no case to be made for expanding Heathrow or any other airport in London or the South East and new runways and more planes would cause more carbon emissions, increasing the threat of catastrophic climate change.He was speaking during a visit to Sipson village in Hillingdon, which would be bulldozed if plans for a third runway are approved.The Mayor met Geraldine Nicholson, Chair of the No Third Runway Action Group, Linda McCutcheon from the Harmondsworth and Sipson Residents Association, John Stewart, Chair of HACAN ClearSkies and Sipson village residents during his visit.In June 2003 the Mayor reaffirmed his opposition to the proposals to expand Heathrow in his response to the Government's consultation 'Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport'. The Government's current public consultation closes on 27th February 2008.Ken Livingstone said,"It is vital that all airport expansion in London and the South East, including Heathrow is halted now as it is completely contrary to the growing evidence on the role of aviation in contributing towards catastrophic climate change.‘Rather than more runways and plane journeys, we must cut carbon emissions by using energy more efficiently. The Government’s own figures show air travel produces two to three times more carbon emissions than making the same trip by rail.‘Expansion would also have a huge impact on road congestion and pollution with more plane journeys leading to more traffic congestion and pollution from cars. Furthermore many communities in London will suffer with more noise and air pollution, affecting the health, well being and quality of life for millions of Londoners. The expansion of Heathrow will take much needed green space and mean the complete destruction of Sipson village, home to over a thousand people.‘So on every test; environment, economic and quality of life, the argument for expanding Heathrow has not been made and I don’t believe it ever can. We have a duty to protect our environment not just for us, but the generations who will come after us."Geraldine Nicholson, Chair of the No Third Runway Action Group said,"More than 700 homes will be destroyed if the third runway at Heathrow gets the go ahead. The huge increase in noise and pollution will affect thousands more, not to mention the hundreds of schoolchildren who will have to go to school within a mile of the proposed runway. BAA and the Government don’t seem to care about any of this and look prepared to bulldoze over our objections. We’re determined not to let that happen.'We warmly welcome the Mayor’s support for our campaign and hope that his example will make others in Government wake up to the environmental and political folly of a third runway at Heathrow." John Stewart, Chairman of residents’ campaign group HACAN Clearskies, said,"Because of Heathrow’s position the vast majority of planes that land at the airport have to fly over London. The noise and pollution from these aircraft already causes misery and distress for thousands of people. Anybody who thinks it a good idea to increase air traffic over London is either incredibly shortsighted or has no regard for the environment and the people who live in it.'We are completely opposed to any expansion to Heathrow, or in fact, any airports in the south-east and we will continue to campaign against such expansions until the Government takes heed and listens, for once, to the people who are bearing the brunt of these decisions on the ground."
Duncan Walker ● 6368d11 Comments