30 January 2006
Mike Penning has joined other local MPs to fight the proposed expansion at Luton Airport.
The operator of Luton Airport’s so-called “Master Plan” involves massive expansion beyond even the Government’s proposal. The Government’s plan would have created a new airport roughly the size of Gatwick. This “Master Plan” proposes something more along the lines of Heathrow, with two runways and three terminals.
Mike said:
“The Airport operator has given the impression that it is all signed and sealed. This is a ploy to discourage opposition.”
“This proposal goes way beyond the options on which the Government consulted and by their own calculations, this is the least cost-effective location. Without a direct rail link into central London, most passengers would be arriving by car. Our local infrastructure is congested enough already without London’s second airport in our midst.”
Mike is also concerned about the environmental impact with additional noise to local residents and the loss of a large swathe of greenbelt land.
Mike has launched a petition to Parliament that calls for Luton to remain a medium haul, medium sized airport and for the Government to refuse plans for Luton to replace Gatwick as London’s second airport.
Mike added:
“I believe massive, reasoned opposition can force them to scale down their proposals. If you oppose airport expansion on this scale it is vital to make your views known. You can download copies of the petition from my website www.mikepenning.com, or even better write to me, outlining your concerns.”
PETITION WORDING
“LIMIT LUTON AIRPORT” PETITION
The operator’s “Master Plan” for Luton Airport must be rejected because:
• It goes far beyond the options on which the Government consulted since it involves two runways, not one, and an extra terminal increasing the scale and capacity
• The Government’s own calculations show it is the least cost effective location
• It is the only option without a direct rail link into the airport
• So most of the 30 million extra passengers would arrive and depart by car
• It is closed by bad weather more than any other London airport
• The airspace overhead is more crowded
• It is nearest a built-up area
• It would involve building on a large swathe of green belt land.
We, the undersigned, believe that Luton should remain a medium haul, medium sized airport and urge the Government to refuse permission for plans to make it second only in capacity to Heathrow.
The operator of Luton Airport’s so-called “Master Plan” involves massive expansion beyond even the Government’s proposal. The Government’s plan would have created a new airport roughly the size of Gatwick. This “Master Plan” proposes something more along the lines of Heathrow, with two runways and three terminals.
Mike said:
“The Airport operator has given the impression that it is all signed and sealed. This is a ploy to discourage opposition.”
“This proposal goes way beyond the options on which the Government consulted and by their own calculations, this is the least cost-effective location. Without a direct rail link into central London, most passengers would be arriving by car. Our local infrastructure is congested enough already without London’s second airport in our midst.”
Mike is also concerned about the environmental impact with additional noise to local residents and the loss of a large swathe of greenbelt land.
Mike has launched a petition to Parliament that calls for Luton to remain a medium haul, medium sized airport and for the Government to refuse plans for Luton to replace Gatwick as London’s second airport.
Mike added:
“I believe massive, reasoned opposition can force them to scale down their proposals. If you oppose airport expansion on this scale it is vital to make your views known. You can download copies of the petition from my website www.mikepenning.com, or even better write to me, outlining your concerns.”
PETITION WORDING
“LIMIT LUTON AIRPORT” PETITION
The operator’s “Master Plan” for Luton Airport must be rejected because:
• It goes far beyond the options on which the Government consulted since it involves two runways, not one, and an extra terminal increasing the scale and capacity
• The Government’s own calculations show it is the least cost effective location
• It is the only option without a direct rail link into the airport
• So most of the 30 million extra passengers would arrive and depart by car
• It is closed by bad weather more than any other London airport
• The airspace overhead is more crowded
• It is nearest a built-up area
• It would involve building on a large swathe of green belt land.
We, the undersigned, believe that Luton should remain a medium haul, medium sized airport and urge the Government to refuse permission for plans to make it second only in capacity to Heathrow.