Watchdog urges aviation review
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
25/09/2008
The Government’s advisers on sustainable development have called for an independent review of aviation policy.
The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) said last week that there was too much uncertainty about the real economic and environmental impacts of aviation growth.
The Commission argues that... ‘fresh climate change science, the dramatic rise in oil price, the economic downturn and the renewed interest in high speed rail, all mean that a fresh look at what is in the best interests of the UK is timely.’
The Commission concludes that... 'for the Government to press ahead with decisions on airport expansion without achieving further consensus would not be good governance.'
Speaking on behalf of the 2M Group, which represents 21 councils, Councillor Nicholas Botterill, H&F Council Deputy Leader, said: “First the Environment Agency now the SDC – how many more of the Government’s own advisers have to tell ministers that they have got it wrong on Heathrow expansion?
“The economic case for expanding Heathrow seems to hinge on a future of cheaper flights and ever-growing demand. But none of these assumptions seem to take account of rising oil costs, the economic crisis or the Government’s own CO2 targets.
“No serious attempt has been made to compare the benefits of a third runway with other transport solutions such as high speed rail for which there is great demand in Scotland and the North.
“It’s five years since the airports white paper was published and it is looking increasingly irrelevant to the nation’s transport needs. Ministers should order an independent study that looks at the full impact of expanding Heathrow on all sectors of the economy - and compares it to the alternatives. There must be more to UK transport policy than what is good for BAA.”
To read the SDC report click on www.sd-commission.org.uk
You can download the 2M high speed rail blueprint at www.2MGroup.org.uk
