West Midlands Green Party Press Release 18 June 2007
Greens celebrate halt to Coventry Airport expansion
Government blocks new Airport Teminal
The Green Party today celebrated the news that the Government has turned down an application for a new terminal at Coventry Airport [1]. The decision follows major criticism by the Green Party and a number of environmental and conservation groups in the region.
Coventry Airport had wanted to add an extra terminal to cater for an extra two million passengers per year, a move criticised by the Green Party as 'short-sighted'. Greens in both Coventry and in Warwick and Leamington Spa had argued that greater air traffic movement at the Airport would exacerbate the pace of climate change and cause misery for residents in the flight path and living nearby. It is, however, stated that the principal reason for the rejection of the application is because of protests by Birmingham International Airport, claiming that extra traffic at Coventry could conflict with its own plans for expansion.
Ian Davison , Warwick and Leamington Green Party, said "I am delighted that the Government has seen sense that we do not need a huge Airport at Coventry. The Airport has argued another terminal would boost the area's economy but in reality, climate change is set to cause social and economic devastation in the long term.
Given the dangers of climate change, I would like to see the Government put a stop to expansion at all Britain's airports. This will be good for our quality of life and British tourism as well as being an important step toward developing a sustainable economy."
Further information, clarification + interviews: Janet Alty 01926 427 773 or Ian Davison 07776 157932