Any government which, on the one hand pledges to make a significant reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020, and in the next breath gives the green light to the greatest expansion of aviation in a generation is guilty of either the most shameless hypocrisy, or the most unforgivable ignorance and stupidity.
Green Party Principal Speaker Dr. Caroline Lucas has submitted damning evidence to the Government’s consultation on the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport, and today labelled the plans for a third runway as ‘irresponsible, deceptive and environmentally disastrous’.
In her consultation response, Dr Lucas condemns the proposals, citing the devastating effects on climate change, noise and air pollution, as well as risks to public safety that would be caused by expanding Heathrow capacity from 430,000 flights to between 700,000 and 800,000 flights per year.
She goes on to criticise the “flawed” and ‘leading’ methods of the public consultation, accusing the Government of continuously ‘moving the goalposts’ in their arguments.
In her submission to the Heathrow Consultation, Dr Lucas urged the Government to give full consideration to the views of her constituents in the South East, whose lives will be adversely affected by an expansion.
Dr. Lucas, who has campaigned against Heathrow expansion for several years, addressed a ‘Stop Heathrow Expansion’ rally at Westminster on Monday (25th February), a landmark event which attracted a huge attendance of over 3,000 people.
She said: “The Government’s continuing support for an expansion of Heathrow airport demonstrates a complete contempt for the environment, the health of UK citizens and for our democratic processes.
“A third runway would have disastrous consequences for residents in my South East constituency – leading to serious environmental damage and social upheaval through increased pollution, and the destruction of local communities.
Dr Lucas warned that the Transport Secretary’s proposals for Heathrow would condemn the UK to an unsustainable future of significantly higher noise and air pollution – and to accelerating climate change.
“Any government which, on the one hand pledges to make a significant reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020, and in the next breath gives the green light to the greatest expansion of aviation in a generation is guilty of either the most shameless hypocrisy, or the most unforgivable ignorance and stupidity.
“Despite the promises which were made to limit further expansion, this Government has persisted in a deceptive campaign for a third runway which its own figures estimate will almost double the number of flights using Heathrow each year.
“Whichever way you look at the Government’s proposals on aviation, they are a social and environmental disaster. What we need is a sustainable transport policy which incentivises train travel, makes aviation pay its true costs and restricts airport capacity.
She concluded: “It is crucial for the environment and our democratic processes that the Government responds to the concerns expressed during the consultation, and accepts that there is no simply public appetite for a third runway.”
Any government which, on the one hand pledges to make a significant reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020, and in the next breath gives the green light to the greatest expansion of aviation in a generation is guilty of either the most shameless hypocrisy, or the most unforgivable ignorance and stupidity.
Green Party Principal Speaker Dr. Caroline Lucas has submitted damning evidence to the Government’s consultation on the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport, and today labelled the plans for a third runway as ‘irresponsible, deceptive and environmentally disastrous’.
In her consultation response, Dr Lucas condemns the proposals, citing the devastating effects on climate change, noise and air pollution, as well as risks to public safety that would be caused by expanding Heathrow capacity from 430,000 flights to between 700,000 and 800,000 flights per year.
She goes on to criticise the “flawed” and ‘leading’ methods of the public consultation, accusing the Government of continuously ‘moving the goalposts’ in their arguments.
In her submission to the Heathrow Consultation, Dr Lucas urged the Government to give full consideration to the views of her constituents in the South East, whose lives will be adversely affected by an expansion.
Dr. Lucas, who has campaigned against Heathrow expansion for several years, addressed a ‘Stop Heathrow Expansion’ rally at Westminster on Monday (25th February), a landmark event which attracted a huge attendance of over 3,000 people.
She said: “The Government’s continuing support for an expansion of Heathrow airport demonstrates a complete contempt for the environment, the health of UK citizens and for our democratic processes.
“A third runway would have disastrous consequences for residents in my South East constituency – leading to serious environmental damage and social upheaval through increased pollution, and the destruction of local communities.
Dr Lucas warned that the Transport Secretary’s proposals for Heathrow would condemn the UK to an unsustainable future of significantly higher noise and air pollution – and to accelerating climate change.
“Any government which, on the one hand pledges to make a significant reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020, and in the next breath gives the green light to the greatest expansion of aviation in a generation is guilty of either the most shameless hypocrisy, or the most unforgivable ignorance and stupidity.
“Despite the promises which were made to limit further expansion, this Government has persisted in a deceptive campaign for a third runway which its own figures estimate will almost double the number of flights using Heathrow each year.
“Whichever way you look at the Government’s proposals on aviation, they are a social and environmental disaster. What we need is a sustainable transport policy which incentivises train travel, makes aviation pay its true costs and restricts airport capacity.
She concluded: “It is crucial for the environment and our democratic processes that the Government responds to the concerns expressed during the consultation, and accepts that there is no simply public appetite for a third runway.”
The full text of Dr. Lucas’s submission can be found at the Green Party’s website