18th December 2006

Consultation closes on Friday

Stroud District Green party were sent a letter today by Bristol International Airport which said that "a number of emotive claims about the proposed expansion" were being made and that they would "like to ensure a balanced and informed debate".

Cllr Philip Booth, a Stroud District Green party spokesperson, said: "I am surprised by this move by the airport. The letter strikes me as a desperate move. It maybe true that some wild claims have been made, but the basic facts speak for themselves and BIA have tried to fudge them. Aviation remains the fastest-growing source of the greenhouse gas emissions which are fuelling climate change. We must cut them – and quickly – if we are to have any hope of meeting our targets for emission reductions, let alone preventing the worst impacts of climate change. This proposed airport expansion does the complete opposite. If we are serious about tackling climate change we cannot let this expansion go-ahead."

Cllr Philip Booth, a Stroud District councillor and author of a submission to the latest consultation about the airport's plans (i), 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 fails to take climate change seriously: while other industries have to cut CO2 emissions by at least 60% by 2050, BIA believe they can increase emissions massively. There is no justification for this airport expansion."

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. I would urge all to make their views known to this consultation that ends this Friday (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 from Blair and Brown."

Cllr Charlie Bolton, a spokesperson for Bristol Green party that has campaigned against this airport expansion, said: "I find it remarkable that in the two years that discussions about airport expansion have been going ahead, the airport has shown not the slightest bit of interest in debating expansion.So why has it suddenly developed this concern to have "a balanced and informed debate"? I can only think of one reason - because they are losing."

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'.