Lib Dem anger at Heathrow 3rd runway decision

6.50.58pm GMT Sun 18th Jan 2009

Another runway, more planes, more noise, more polution - Just say NO to the third runway

Spelthorne Liberal Democrats have reacted with dismay and anger at the decision by the Labour Government, supported by local Tories, to proceed with plans for a third runway at Heathrow.

The Lib Dems have been opposed to the plan nationally, and appointed Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park, as the head of their campaign to fight the controversial expansion.

Speaking about the decision, Mark Chapman, Lib Dem Parliamentary Campaigner for Spelthorne said "Local people need a better, more efficient Heathrow to safeguard the airport economy around here. They don't want well over 100,000 extra flights a year, with all the problems that will bring. The opinions of many people in Spelthorne have been ignored.

"The Labour Government has got what it wanted all along. With the support of Spelthorne Tories and the local MP, Gordon Brown has allowed this environmental disaster to move forward.

"We will continue to fight the damage that this proposal will inflict on Spelthorne."

Local resident and Lib Dem campaigner Andrew McLuskey is in no doubt about what the proposal will mean "Here in Stanwell, we will face more noise, more pollution, and more hassle. Those in Stanwell Moor will be worst affected. For many people, both here and across the borough, the legacy of this decision will simply be intolerable"