Jonathan Bartley: Heathrow expansion a 'wrecking ball' through climate commitments

25 October 2016

The Green Party's co-leader has slammed the Government's decision to back expansion at Heathrow airport. Jonathan Bartley, who leads the Green Party alongside Caroline Lucas MP, said that the decision to expand Heathrow aiport ' tramples over the concerns of local people and puts a wrecking ball through the Government’s claim to be concerned about climate change.'

The Green Party opposes airport expansion, and is calling on the Government to reduce demand for flying through a frequent flyer levy and investment in cheaper public transport options. 

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, said: 

“The decision to expand Heathrow tramples over the concerns of local people and puts a wrecking ball through the Government’s claim to be concerned about climate change.

“The truth is that the Government went into this process with their eyes shut to the only sensible option: stopping airport expansion. Instead they’ve pitched two mega airports against each other and is now ploughing ahead with this disastrous expansion at Heathrow.

“The reality is that endless growth in our aviation capacity is incompatible with the UK's climate change commitments. It's also terrible news for local residents who will suffer enormously from increasing noise and air pollution.

"It's clear that a small minority of wealthy individuals are fuelling the demand for airport expansion - not families taking an annual holiday.  We need fairer and more honest approach to the aviation debate that rules out airport expansion once and for all. The Government must urgently look into the proposed frequent flier levy as a fair way of reducing the demand for flights from those who fly the most, whilst benefiting the majority of people and protecting us all from the threat of climate change.”

Caroline Lucas, whose party opposes expansion at both Heathrow and Gatwick airports, said:

“The Government is on the brink of announcing climate-wrecking plans for airport expansion in South East England. We know that that laying more tarmac at either Heathrow or Gatwick will bust any hope we have of meeting our climate change commitments, and inflict noise and air pollution on already blighted local communities.

“Instead of expanding these airports the Government should introduce a frequent flyer levy to reduce the need for any new runway capacity and invest the money raised in further measures to offer climate-friendly alternatives to air travel. I urge Ministers to look at this proposal – and hope that opposition parties can join together in opposing airport expansion and backing this sensible alternative.”

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