Lydd Airport expansion 'bad for area'

Airport expansion is bad for the South East's economy, a report has claimed. Friends of the Earth said the boom in aviation is costing the region three times more than it gains. Using data from the Office of National Statistics, it said UK travellers are spending £2.7bn more abroad per year than foreigners flying to the area.

Environmental campaigners claim the growth of airports would encourage more passengers to travel abroad, meaning the annual deficit would also increase.

Liberal Democrat campaigner Peter Carroll has long been opposed to additional expansion at Lydd airport.

Plans are under consideration that would extend the runway and would mean 2,000,000 passengers a year using the airport. This could mean up to 100 jet aircraft flights a day at busy times and up to a million extra car journeys on already busy local roads.

Peter says:

"The proposed expansion will devastate the Marsh environment. As well as the aircraft noise and pollution there will be many extra car journeys to and from the airport. Our road network simply won't cope. The quality of life of Marsh residents will be devastated."

Tom Brake MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, said:

"This report makes it clear that exaggerated claims about the economic benefits of airports do not stand up to scrutiny. With aviation now the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide emissions in the transport sector, the environmental impact of airport expansion must weigh very heavily against any economic benefit."

Brenda Pollack, Friends of the Earth's South East Campaigner, said: "We know airport expansion is bad for the environment. These figures show it is bad for the South East's economy too.

"Local businesses are missing out on millions of pounds every year and airport expansion will make this worse, encouraging people to take more and more short trips abroad."