Duff Questions Merits of Stansted Expansion Plans

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 24th Jun 2002

Andrew Duff, the region's Liberal Democrat MEP today commented on the planning proposals from BAA for the proposed expansion of Stansted Airport.

Mr Duff expressed his concern at the lack of a clear strategy for the development of the air industry in the present unstable international environment.

He said:

"Stansted's strategy seems too much inclined towards cheap flights for package tourists. What would benefit the region's business and research community more would be frequent, scheduled services to key destinations.

"BAA and the Government need also to specify the impact on their predictions for Stansted of the further anticipated expansion of Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris airports, and of the opening of the Channel Tunnel link to Stratford at the other end of the M11 corridor.

"On no account should there be more airport development without a major shift of feeder traffic from road to rail, and the upgrading of the existing rail link.

"In any case, I would expect BAA to honour willingly the strict planning conditions that will be imposed on any consent to expand to 25 million passengers a year or beyond. The EU has legislated for strict noise and pollution control, and I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues will be monitoring their application with great care."