Heathrow shut-down and Heathrow expansion: do we need extra flight capacity? (Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats)

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

Heathrow shut-down and Heathrow expansion: do we need extra flight capacity?

May 5, 2010 12:16 PM

The threat of another volcanic ash cloud restricting flights over England is bringing the issue of Heathrow expansion to the front of voters' minds. Liberal Democrats have led the fight against the expansion.

Dirk Hazell, Liberal Democrat candidate for Chelsea and Fulham, and a long-standing campaigner on green issues says "Chelsea and Fulham is certainly quieter without flights but the Tory-Labour over-reliance on Heathrow means this environmental benefit comes at massive cost and disruption to individuals and businesses. We need a much more balanced transport policy with far more reliance on railways for national travel and our tax plans will also mean flights in and out of Heathrow will be fuller, which will help to cut global warming."

Dirk joined the Liberal Democrats having previously been a member of the Conservative party, in part because he is very concerned that a green Tory veneer conceals the reality of very high climate change denial amongst Tory parliamentary hopefuls.

Susan Kramer, fighting to retain her Parliamentary seat of Richmond Park, has led the Lib Dem campaign against Heathrow expansion for many years. She will be seeking evidence from the recent shut-down to measure the improvements to quality of life and air pollution.

Equally, Lib Dem European representatives will be campaigning for improved coordination between European governments to ensure that any future problems are better managed and coordinated, and to ensure that compensation for the substantial economic losses sustained is distributed in a fair way.

Merlene Emerson, candidate for Hammersmith, says "If Runway Three is built the flight path will go right over King Street in Hammersmith and will definitely affect the quality of life of residents. We must make sure that doesn't happen".