'Heathrow expansion is unwanted and unnecessary' - Pope

9.24.00am GMT Sat 1st Dec 2007

Commenting on the Government's plans to extend Heathrow Terminals 3 and 6, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesman on the London Assembly, Geoff Pope, said:

"The Government is persisting with its catastrophic proposals to expand Heathrow and escalate the damage to London's Transport.

'With Eurostar journeys cut to around two hours, short-haul flights to Brussels and Paris are hard to justify. A serious review could axe such flights and free up capacity - without building a third runway.

'Money would be better spent building a high-speed rail link from Heathrow to the North and Scotland, and not on air travel with its high carbon emissions.

'The Government should also consider the local community who object to the expansion and do not want their lives disrupted by noise pollution.

"I have called on BAA to attend the London Assembly Transport Committee so that these expansion plans can be properly scrutinised by elected representatives."

ENDS