Local campaigners have joined a national AirportWatch campaign (1) calling for the Government’s aviation policy to be scrapped. The campaign, launched today with a series national newspaper adverts and based around ten key demands (2), aims to get tens of thousands of people to write or e-mail Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander to call for a major aviation policy rethink (3).
The Government’s 2003 Aviation White Paper announced plans for huge airport expansion around the country to cater for a predicted tripling of passengers. At Heathrow it announced plans for a possible 3rd runway and to make more use of the existing runways by getting rid of runway alternation.
The Government is committed to reviewing progress on its White Paper this year but campaigners from the AirportWatch alliance want a fundamental policy rethink.
HACAN ClearSkies Chair John Stewart said: “The Government’s aviation policy will damage communities and the environment and it must be scrapped. The Government says it is reviewing progress on implementing its Aviation White Paper but only a thorough rethink of aviation policy will do.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
(1). AirportWatch is an alliance of national environmental campaign organisations and local campaign groups from across the UK.
(2). See the 4 page document attached.
(3). To take the e-mail action and to find out more about the campaign and the 10 demands go to the Airportwatch website.
For further information contact John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650