Disturbing rise in emissions is grounds for rethink on Stansted expansion

9.28.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 4th Apr 2005

From left to right: Lib Dems Elfreda Tealby-Watson, Alan Dean and Peter Wilcock

Kathy Pollard, a leading County Councillor and the Parliamentary Candidate for the Liberal Democrats in South Suffolk, is calling on the Government to rethink the expansion of Stansted airport, particularly in light of the disturbing rise in carbon dioxide emissions in the UK.

Figures out last week show that the Labour government has failed to meet its own emissions targets over the last 2 years. The government promised to cut emissions by 20% by 2010, and yet emissions continue to rise. The government also pledged a 12.5% cut in greenhouse gases under the Kyoto protocol, yet plans for Britain to set an example internationally are now flailing.

Cllr Pollard said, "Civil aviation accounts for 12% of all carbon dioxide emissions in this country. These emissions will only increase under Labour's plans for Stansted."

She added "It is particularly alarming that the Government have failed to provide facts showing any need for expansion at Stansted, yet are still pressing ahead with a second runway. The Government seem content to encourage unlimited growth in air traffic, even though this is damaging our environment irreparably."

There has also been controversy across South Suffolk with aircraft overflying villages and towns in the area. Kathy Pollard commented, "The expansion will increase the amount of planes overflying Suffolk by a factor of four, not to mention increasing traffic and congestion on our roads."

Unlike petrol and diesel, there is no tax at all at present on aviation fuel. "If the Government is serious about preventing climate change, they also need to look at taxation of aviation fuel in order to control emissions," added Mrs. Pollard. "Liberal Democrats are not against managed expansion of air traffic, but we are very concerned about severe implications for the environment in Government policy."

For more details on the "Stop Stansted Expansion" campaign, call 01279 870558

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