Tory Council's support for third runway is betrayal

9.06.00pm GMT Sun 24th Feb 2008

Stephen Knight is a leading campaigner against Heathrow expansion

Thursday's decision by Conservative controlled Spelthorne Council to withdraw from the 2M alliance against Heathrow expansion and instead back the Government's plans for a third runway is a betrayal of local residents says Liberal Democrat London Assembly candidate for South West London Stephen Knight.

"The Conservatives in Spelthorne said they were against Heathrow expansion at last year's borough elections and were elected on that basis. For them to perform a u-turn less than 12 months later and now come out in favour of expansion is a massive betrayal of the electorate."

"The Government's plans to further expand Heathrow airport would be an environmental catastrophe, both globally and locally.

"Aviation already accounts for 13 per cent of the UK's total climate impact and is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. To propose such a massive expansion programme is deeply irresponsible.

"Here in South West London Over half a million people are already exposed to noise levels over World Health Organisation standards and thousands suffer air pollution exceeding EU health limits."