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Jean Lambert London's Green MEP

Heathrow expansion is ‘disastrous’, say Green MEPs

25 October 2016

The decision to approve expansion at Heathrow airport lacks ‘common sense’ and is ‘manifestly against the interests of the UK and the British people’, according to Green MEPs.

Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London, said:

“Contrary to all the evidence Theresa May has decided to forge ahead with the expansion of Heathrow airport regardless of the dreadful impact this will have on the local community, London and indeed the planet.”

“This decision is clearly incompatible with Britain’s recent agreement to ratify the Paris Agreement and will further contribute to air pollution for my constituents in London and beyond. Following the disastrous decisions on nuclear at Hinkley and on fracking in Lancashire, a very worrying pattern is emerging with regards to this government’s commitment, or rather lack of commitment, to the environment, the health of its citizens and common sense.”

Keith Taylor, a vocal anti-expansion campaigner and Green MEP for the South East who sits on the European Parliament’s Transport committee, said:

“There are no two ways about it; this is a disastrous decision for the people of the South East, London, Britain, and the planet. Welcome to Theresa May’s never-never land, where prime ministers never have to listen to scientists and never have to apologise for increasing CO2 emissions and air pollution levels. The Maidenhead MP has flip-flopped on her previous opposition to Heathrow and has kowtowed to the demands of multi-million-pound airport lobbies while ignoring the concerns of her own constituents and the need to take urgent action to mitigate catastrophic climate change. Is this what the Prime Minister had in mind when she promised to build a Britain not driven by the interests of a privileged few?

“Britain’s ‘airport capacity crisis’ is, and always has been, a dangerous myth driven by corporate greed, not by actual need. Not only is all but one airport in the UK operating under capacity, sponsoring the exponential growth of an aviation industry that is a top-ten global polluter is wholly incompatible with the Prime Minister’s promise to ratify the Paris Agreement. This Conservative government, led by a Prime Minister with no mandate, continues to make decisions so manifestly against the interests of the UK and the British people. From Hinkley to Heathrow this administration is on course to be the most ruinous the country has ever seen.”