Fight against new Gatwick runway is stepped up (From The Argus)
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Fight against new Gatwick runway is stepped up
10:02am Tuesday 13th March 2007 in News By Katya Mira
Plans for a new airport runway would be bad for the economic and ecological future of the region, experts have said.
The earmarked expansion for either Gatwick or Heathrow airport contradicts Government aims to reduce the country's carbon footprint and build a more sustainable way of life, it was decided at a meeting of The South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA).
The group, made up of all sectors of society to represent the region, heard from aviation experts and environmental campaigners.
Members then voted to lobby Government to review its aviation policy and stop plans for a new runway at either Heathrow or Gatwick.
They said the economic success of the region depended on how climate change was dealt with in the future and it would be better to make the most of space already at airports rather than expand them with more runways.
Assembly Chairman Councillor Keith Mitchell said: "It is time for a reality check. We need greater commitment from Government to reduce CO2 emissions. This problem can't be put off and dealt with another day."
