Tim Yeo MP warns of noise from Stansted expansion
2.4.2008 (UK Airport News)
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Villages will have their peace shattered by aircraft noise if Stansted Airport
expands further, a local MP has warned. Tim Yeo, Conservative MP for Suffolk South,
has released a statement that will be read on his behalf at a Stop Stansted Expansion
Group rally in Bishop’s Stortford tomorrow.
In the statement Mr Yeo who reiterates his ‘long standing and unqualified opposition
to the continued growth of Stansted Airport,’ says: ‘Under the National Air Traffic
Service’s recently proposed flight paths changes, residents of communities such
as Lavenham, Thorpe Morieux, Cockfield and Monks Eleigh, to name only four, would
have their peace shattered by aircraft noise even with the existing numbers of
flights to and from the airport.’
‘Any expansion in traveller numbers will cause misery to many of the communities
I represent in Suffolk. A second runway would also mean the permanent loss of a huge swathe of unspoilt
countryside and ancient woodlands. As BAA eventually admitted the pollution impacts
of their plans for increased flights will be far more serious than it originally
claimed.’
‘But politicians do not just have a responsibility to speak up for the interests
of their constituents; they must also balance the benefits of decisions for the
whole of Britain. And the growth of Stansted fails that second test too. As Chair
of the Environmental Audit Committee I am very conscious of the fact that it cannot
be justified either on environmental or economic grounds.’
‘The more we know about the impact of climate change the more urgently we must
make sure that the cost of air travel reflects that impact. And as was made abundantly
clear at the Public Inquiry, as primarily a provider of low cost holiday flights,
Stansted fuels Britain’s tourism deficit by nearly £20 billion, which totally
undermines claims that the airport is in our national or even regional economic
interest. ‘
Mr Yeo will also be speaking at a public meeting to discuss the latest proposals
on flightpaths at Lavenham village hall, at 19:30 next Wednesday (April 9).