8th December 2006
'Why should we in Gloucestershire have to make deeper emissions cuts just to allow profits at BIA to grow?'

Bristol International Airport is ploughing ahead with plans to massively expand the airport despite huge and growing opposition to the seriously detrimental impact it will have on the region including Gloucestershire. Stroud District Green party have submitted a second report to the latest consultation phase condemning the expansion (i).

Cllr Philip Booth, a Stroud District councillor and author of the report, said: "The latest version of BIA's 'Master Plan'  remains an extraordinary flawed document that ignores some of the most basic economic realities. The report dismisses climate change and while the rest of the region has to cut CO2 emissions by at least 60% by 2050, BIA believe they can increase emissions massively. There is no justification for aviation being excluded from such cuts - and by doing so it will mean that local businesses in Gloucestershire and the rest of the region will have to cut emissions even harder."

Philip Booth continued: "In addition to this air travel means more money going abroad rather than being spent in the region. Plus forecast oil price rises are not considered in BIA's report, yet rising airfare prices will mean demand for flights will plummet. Plus aviation bathes luxuriously in a privileged tax-free status, like the exemption from tax on aviation fuel. There is no guarantee or indeed justification that future governments will continue this heavy subsidy."

Philip Booth concluded: "This expansion runs counter to any sane view of economics or sustainability. Why should we in Gloucestershire have to make deeper emissions cuts just to allow profits at BIA to grow? I would urge all Gloucestershire businesses and communities to make their views known to this consultation that ends on 22nd December. We need an end to subsidised air travel immediately and a serious programme to address climate change, not the ridiculous tinkering we have seen this week from Blair and Brown."


Note:

(i) Stroud District Green party's "Response to BIA Master Plan" is available under reports at: www.glosgreenparty.org.uk

 Also under reports is the Green part's initial report "Response to Bristol International Airport Master Plan 2005 to 2030'.