Categories: politics
Tags: Heathrow, expansion, high speed train
Date: 15 January 2009 19:37:26
Today is a Black Day in human history. Our government has decided that the environment is no longer a priority. Instead they want to expand Heathrow Airport by adding a 3rd runway and a 6th passenger terminal.
Why is this such a catastrophic event?
Well the government has lied and cheated throughout the process of deciding whether or not the expansion is needed. When the early environmental studies didn't agree with their plans on pollution limits they sent BAA back to the drawing board - three times - and then the figures agreed.
In addition BAA based its calculations on emmissions from aircraft and engines that have:
a) Not been built.
b) Not even been thought of or researched.
The emmissions levels at Heathrow already exceed the EU limits that will come into effect in 2010. If this happens now how will they be reduced to these levels with more aircraft flying in and out every day? The government, BAA and the airlines tell us that new aircraft will come on line that will be more environmentally friendly and that these new aircraft will be the only ones permitted to fly into Heathrow.
How will they enforce this? Will they really tell airlines from less prosperous nations that their landing slots at Heathrow will be removed? Will they be willing to stand up to other governments?
We're also told that Heathrow has to be expanded in the interests of the economy. They vaguely talk about expansion at places like Charles de Gaulle and Schipol. Yet this doesn't add up. Heathrow is still ahead of these airports and is not operating at capacity. We also have runways at Stansted, Luton, Gatwick and London City. More riunways than the main competitors.
We could spend the money on high speed rail and help to take passengers from short haul flights and onto more environmentally friendly transport. Eurostar is already the largest operator on the London Paris route. Air France is so worried about losing traffic that it is already launching new lanes - not in the air but by rail. They beginning to run trains to Brussels and other destinations this year in cooperation with train operators.
There are also plans to begin moving more short haul freight by train instead of air - especially to Paris and Schipol. This is being done by Air France and several large international freight operators. Thus moving traffic from trucks and aircraft to trains.
How are our government helping this shift in modes? They're increasing the charges for access on the High Speed 1 line into London by train by 500%. This is especially gauling as this is the only route that can accept modern European cargo wagons. There was much lobbying for this by BA and Virgin who want to protect their freight revenues.
Our only hope is that nothing happens before the next election and that we get a Tory government that will keep their promise to cancel the project in favour of a new High Speed 2 line to Manchester and the North. Many of you won't like a Tory government but they actually accept that, at least with them, the case for an environmental alternative would be the best option.