Government Plans for Third Runway at Heathrow slammed (Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats)

Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats <info@hflibdems.org.uk>

Government Plans for Third Runway at Heathrow slammed

January 16, 2009 2:00 PM
Originally published by Merlene Emerson - Your First Choice for London

The Government has finally announced its backing for a third runway and a 6th terminal at Heathrow, spelling a major expansion of flights over West London.

The impact of this decision will be felt especially keenly in Hammersmith, as the approach to the new runway will likely be over King Street and Chiswick High Road.

Hammersmith and Fulham Lib Dems have campaigned consistently against the expansion, as part of our long-standing commitment to improving and protecting our environment, and we will continue to campaign against the project.

Merlene Emerson, Lib Dem Parliamentary spokeswoman for Hammersmith and a long term opponent of Heathrow expansion explains

"We are not convinced that the economic case has been made, especially in the current global economic downturn and taking into consideration the huge subsidies currently given to the aviation industry."

Leading the Liberal Democrat challenge to the expansion of Heathrow is Susan Kramer MP for Richmond Park:

"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".