Ruth Kelly's contempt for environment and democracy

Ruth Kelly’s support for Heathrow's expansion reveals ‘utter contempt’ for the environment and for local democracy. The Government’s support for the expansion of Heathrow airport demonstrates a complete contempt for the health of the environment and for local democracy.

Photo: Except of course that Boris wants a completely new Airport to the East of London. Meanwhile plans are afoot to expand London City Airport, increasing flights by 50% over the next 3 years and more than doubling them by 2030 according to the BBC.

Green MEP for the South East Caroline Lucas is quoted saying: “Any government which, on the one hand pledges to make a significant reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020, and in the next breath gives the green light to the greatest expansion of aviation in a generation is guilty of either the most shameless hypocrisy, or the most unforgiveable ignorance and stupidity. Despite the promises which were made by previous Labour governments to limit further expansion, this Government has persisted in a deceptive campaign for a third runway which its own figures estimate will result in a record total number of 702,000 flights using Heathrow every year. This will almost double the number of flights recorded last year if both a third runway and the end of runway alternation are agreed."

Those figures basically translate into nearly 500 extra flights a day, and more noise and more emissions. The figures are by now well known: a third runway would require the demolition of over 750 houses – perhaps significantly more - including the entire village of Sipson. More than 3000 people would lose their homes. Schools, pubs and churches would all be demolished. Whichever way you look at these proposals, they are a social and environmental nightmare.

See also Kev's Climate blog here and the questions he put to her. She has yet to respond. Apparently Ruth Kelly has been savaged by the back benchers over her plans to expand Heathrow.Let us hope all this pressure starts to wake her up.