18-11-03

Green issues must be at the heart of air transport plans – Barrett

John Barrett, the Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today warned the Government not to ignore environmental concerns when announcing their proposals to expand air transport in the UK.

The Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling, is expected to unveil his White Paper on air transport next month and is widely anticipated to include an expansion of Edinburgh Airport in Mr Barrett's constituency.

Speaking during a parliamentary debate on "Sustainable Aviation", Mr Barrett will say that the Department of Transport must recognise and minimise the impact that increased flights will have on the environment.

In a statement, John Barrett MP said:

"Air transport remains one of the most environmentally unfriendly ways of travelling.  If the number of flights in the UK is to increase at the rate the Government expects then the damage to the environment will be considerable.

"The Government must make sure airlines pay for the environmental damage they cause. It can start by ending the tax exemptions which the industry currently enjoys. It is ridiculous that motorists are taxed to high heaven on their fuel but airlines pay nothing for theirs."

On the issue of expanding Edinburgh Airport, Mr Barrett will also argue that the concerns of local communities, such as Cramond, Kirkliston and Ratho, must be taken into account.

He added:

"Edinburgh Airport is an important part of the local economy, not only as a local employer but in bringing millions of tourists to the City every year.  However, expanding the airport further will have an impact on the local environment too.

"In the short to medium term, the extension to the taxiway and the existing runway at Edinburgh Airport could in fact decrease the amount of harmful gases produced.  In the long term though, the Government must work with airlines in research and development so planes can be made less noisy and less polluting.

"A massive amount of air pollution is also caused by traffic travelling to and from the airport.  That is why the local Council, the Scottish Executive and the UK Government must work together in making the rail and tram airport links a reality as soon as possible."

ENDS