LONDON'S Green Euro-MP Jean Lambert has joined Hillingdon residents in slamming plans to operate commercial flights from RAF Northolt.
Members of the Labour-dominated House of Commons Transport select committee last week proposed operating commercial flights from the airfield to relieve the stress on nearby Heathrow Airport.
Mrs Lambert said: "In 1996 the then Tory government deemed RAF Northolt to be 'unsuitable as a feeder reliever airport for Heathrow' - and this remains the case today.
"The
government's projections for ever-increasing demand for flying are based on the
industry continuing to enjoy tax breaks and hidden subsidies worth upwards of
#8bn annually - and using its windfall to offer
ever-cheaper flights.
"If the Government is seriously concerned about Heathrow's ability to cope, it should adopt demand management measures - such as creating a level playing field for transport - rather than look for old promises to betray and half-baked solutions that will have a dramatic impact on Hillingdon residents.
"The predict-and-provide model has long been rejected by road-builders who have, eventually, realised that building more roads generates more traffic and ultimately does nothing to alleviate congestion.
"Unless the Government learns this lesson in relation to the aviation industry the people of Hillingdon can look forward to more noise, more pollution and more congestion - but no benefits whatsoever They will be reserved for the aviation industry, its shareholders and those politicians - both Labour and Tory - who enjoy the airline's financial patronage."
ENDS
Link to more on Jean Lambert and the Government's Aviation Strategy
For more
information please contact Ben Duncan on 020 7407 6280, 07973 823358 or at press@greenmeps.org.uk