MP joins battle against Heathrow expansion
A SOUTH Devon MP has joined a campaign buying up a slice of land in the way of the proposed third runway at Heathrow in a bid to block the controversial expansion.
Richard Younger-Ross, the MP for Teignbridge, is among 15 Lib Dem MPs to become a co-owner of a plot aimed at holding up the scheme in planning red-tape.
He explained: "It's a matter of what's reasonable. We have got to draw a line on pollution.
"We have got to a point were we start really cutting down on carbon emissions. If we don't do that, climate change is going to get worse and worse."
The impact on nearby residents was also unreasonable, he argued.
Mr Younger-Ross added: "What we need is high speed rail links from north to south and east to west."
The move is part of a coordinated campaign by Greenpeace to scupper the plans that includes actress Emma Thompson and impressionist Alistair McGowan.
It came as the Government flew in the face of strong opposition by backing a third runway at Heathrow airport.
The announcement by Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon of a go-ahead for the £9billion expansion at Heathrow came after Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the needs of the economy and the environment had to be balanced.
Mr Hoon's decision means that the way is now open for a 7,200ft runway, likely to be completed around 2019-20.
The new runway will lead to the destruction of the village of Sipson.
Mr Younger-Ross is among up to 10,000 people who have become 'beneficial owners' of a plot of land on the site of the proposed runway, in a bid to block the project.
Environmental campaign group Greenpeace said thousands of people will have a stake in the plot, with its lawyers looking at ways in which the supporters could act as a legal obstacle to a new runway.
Their names will appear on the title deeds of the plot, and the individuals will be formally represented at future planning inquiries and challenges to compulsory purchase orders.
The Government has faced fierce opposition, not only from local residents, environmental groups and local councils but also from Labour backbenchers.
Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are also against expansion, preferring improved rail links to Heathrow instead.
4 Comments
by Ricky Harris, Totnes
Sunday, January 18 2009, 5:31PM
“I will not be happy until Britain is a single slap of concrete for allowing the whole world to use us as their carpet. It is called free trade and will help make everyone in this nation a few extra bob to enjoy their concrete jungle and junk food, 600 channel TV, and motels at every 175 metre intervals. What more can a modern economy want and whoever disagress is a luddite.”
by xxx, torbay
Saturday, January 17 2009, 2:11PM
“driving people out of their homes is no good. There will be no greenery left if we keep on building roads and tarmac everywhere.”
by xxx, torbay
Saturday, January 17 2009, 2:10PM
“hundreds of people will loose their homes if this goes ahead. We've made do with two runways for years at heathrow and its been fine. THis isn't the USA where they have tons of space for airports with seven runways”
by The People's Champion, Torquay
Saturday, January 17 2009, 2:02PM
“Would somebody explain to Mr Younger-Ross that a high-speed rail link would not do the job that a new runway would. A rail link would help move people around the UK, a runway helps to move people around the world.
If we don't add a new runway the Heathrow will stop becoming the international stop over destination. Airports all over Europe already have more runways and there is a huge expansion already happening in Dubai - each location is vying to replace London as the international hub.
When airlines move their hubs abroad then the financial headquarters and tourists would move with them.
We need to look at new ways of reducing carbon emissions through the use of more efficient technologies rather than taking backward steps in lifestyle. People won't change their lifestyles for the worse, but we can help them to make less of an impact when doing so.”