Feb 19, 2008
Council Quizzed on Heathrow Expansion
LOCAL Lib Dem campaigner Cllr Gareth Epps is to put the Labour-run Reading Borough Council on the spot at its Council meeting today on the Government’s proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport, as the much-criticised consultation exercise run by the Government draws to a close.
Gareth, who strongly opposes Heathrow expansion on principle, has tabled a question to Labour’s transport lead Tom Crisp to ask what the Council’s response will be.
Gareth says:-
“With air travel given a free ride by the Treasury and the fastest-growing source of carbon emissions, there is no case for the expansion of Heathrow.
Only a twisted so-called consultation exercise like that being peddled by the Government will come out with an excuse for expansion. With transport links to Heathrow leaving much to be desired, and the vast proposed increase in aircraft a third runway will bring, it is in Reading’s interests to clearly say NO to Heathrow expansion. I urge local residents to take part in the consultation exercise, however flawed, and send a message to this gas-guzzling Government.”
