Heathrow third runway decision will have disastrous consequences, says Dakers

12.00.00am GMT Thu 15th Jan 2009

Campaigning against Heathrow expansion - Simon Hughes MP, Cllr Munira Wilson, Brian Paddick, Cllr Stephen Knight, Cllr Andrew Dakers and Susan Kramer MP

The Government has today finally announced its backing for the building of the third runway and a 6th terminal. The Lib Dems were the first party in parliament to oppose a third runway at Heathrow and indeed we introduced a motion calling for the plan to be abandoned as long ago as the 8 May 2007. Unfortunately, we were not supported on that occasion by either Labour or the Conservatives, though we are pleased to see that opposition to a third runway is now increasing. Cllr Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats was the only local councillor to join the Climate Camp at Heathrow for a week in the summer of 2007.

Cllr Andrew Dakers, Parliamentary Candidate for Brentford & Isleworth, said:

"We believe that these proposals will have disastrous consequences for the environment, both locally and in terms of climate change. We are also very unhappy that the Government seems to be willing to ignore all of these arguments and push forward with its plans without facing a vote in Parliament. That our local MP, Ann Keen, who claimed to be against expansion has backed the government in this decision, is a disgrace.

"My colleagues and I firmly believe that there are alternatives to the expansion of Heathrow. In 2007, up to 125,000 short haul flights were using space at Heathrow. We were the first party to announce a commitment to developing high speed rail links across the country that can provide the extra capacity to move people to short haul destinations more efficiently, in more comfort and in most cases quicker. We have seen, for example, Eurostar capture over 70% of London - Paris passenger traffic.

"It is my belief that with a firm and measured approach to campaigning, the people of Britain can successfully oppose a third runway.

Dinti Batstone, West London European spokeswoman for the Lib Dems, added:

"Lib Dems in the European Parliament are taking the fight against the third runway to Brussels. The Government must not defy EU air and noise pollution limits which protect our quality of life. Only the Liberal Democrats have campaigned consistently at local, national and European level to stop the third runway".

Susan Kramer MP for Richmond Park, who leads the Liberal Democrat challenge to the expansion of Heathrow said:

"We will never give up this battle. We will use every weapon in the armoury including taking the Government to court. The battles for quality of life in our area and on climate change are simply too important for us to give up. The Government brought this fight to us, but they will regret it."

While the Government's announcement that it will not pursue the option of ending runway alternation at Heathrow is welcome, it remains our opinion that any Heathrow expansion will create unacceptable difficulties for those who live nearby. Air pollution, already recorded in parts of London above the legally binding limits which come into force in 2010, will be greatly increased and noise pollution will blight the lives of residents for miles around the airport. This Government's assurances of 'green slots' and a cap on flights using the new runway hold little value when previous promises made have been broken with depressing regularity and inevitability.

The Government must be made to realise that they cannot sweeten this poisoned pill with a few meaningless initiatives and a tentative indication that they will look at high speed rail links. The decision to push ahead with a third runway at Heathrow has made a mockery of this Government's green credentials while uniting opposition in Parliament and across the country.