Tonge Speaks Out Against Airport Expansion

6.26.19pm GMT Mon 17th Nov 2003

On Tuesday 18th November, Dr Jenny Tonge MP has been invited to speak at a campaign meeting at the House of Commons against a Third Runway at Heathrow. The meeting is sponsored by HACAN, and the London Borough of Hillingdon, and has the support of the Association of London Government.

Jenny Tonge MP said; "With the Government white paper on airport expansion expected before Christmas, it is vital that the extent of public opinion against airport expansion at Heathrow is made abundantly clear to this arrogant Government. I hope that this meeting, and others like it, will continue to reinforce the fact that we need to find a long term solution to dealing with the problem of airport expansion."

"One such solution would be a tax on aviation fuel, which is something that I continue to campaign for. However, in the long term, we need to look at other solutions. The reality is that even though there are methods available to control demand, in the long term the problem will simply get worse."

"This is why the Government need to adopt a more practical approach and look at other options open to them. This could include the creation of an off shore airport, which would have less of an impact on peoples quality of life than expansion at London's existing airports. The Government must realise that airport expansion, whether at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Stansted should be taken firmly off the agenda."