Rural 'Livelihood Threatened By New Airport Proposal

Livelihood in London on Sunday 22 wasnt just about fox hunting as the Labour Government would have you believe. Protesters from Warwickshire were marching to defend their homes, livelihood and way of life being devastated by the Governments proposal to build the UKs largest airport, bigger than Heathrow, in the heart of rural Warwickshire.

Livelihood in London on Sunday 22 wasnt just about fox hunting as the Labour Government would have you believe. Protesters from Warwickshire were marching to defend their homes, livelihood and way of life being devastated by the Governments proposal to build the UKs largest airport, bigger than Heathrow, in the heart of rural Warwickshire.

The Facts:

§   Proposed airport would be 8X bigger than Birmingham airport today, 30% bigger than Heathrow
§   Distruction of two complete villages: Kings Newham and Church Lawford
§   Opening in 2011. 1 aircraft every 30 seconds
§   No country side between Coventry, Rugby & Leamington; devastating wildlife
§   Increased noise from aircraft and traffic; water contamination from the runways
§   Reduced air quality through aircraft and vehicle emissions

The destruction of two villages is only the start. Major mew infrastructure, road links, rail links, bus depots, rail terminals, fuel stations will be required. Building work will dominate and destroy villages and countryside, 160 major hotels built (based on those in a ten mile radius of Heathrow), Car parks for the 175,000 passengers a day, 120,000 new houses (1 for each of the 59,000 'new airport jobs, another 60,000 for new schools, shops, restaurants and other infrastructure effectively creating a town the size of Rugby.    

'People just dont know about the plans said Mark Pawsey, Rugby Borough Councillor for Dunchurch & Knightlow ' and those who do are scared their options wont be counted. Mark continued; A closed consultation process has been adopted by the Labour Government.
People are being encouraged not to reply to the questionnaire for the time being as research into the questions provided, strongly suggest the questionnaire is prejudiced against proper criticism against the proposed Warwickshire airport. Before the end of the consultation period,
advice will be given as to how the forms should be completed and the advice will be posted on the Internet sites as well in the press.

In their search to be heard, they have turned to the Internet. 'The local community have found their voice in the form of websites where people can defiantly appose the governments plans. Explained Cllr Pawsey.

The latest website to go live www.stopavonvalleyairport.org.uk <http://www.stopavonvalleyairport.org.uk> is sponsored by the residents of Pailton and Monks Kirby and includes an e-protest letter giving visitors a direct link to Ministers and MPs.

One of the sponsors explained the importance of the latest web site; 'Visitors can lobby government officials, and we hope that their views will be taken seriously. He continued, 'We hope visitors to www.stopavonvalleyairport.org.uk <http://www.stopavonvalleyairport.org.uk> will spread the message far and wide.

In fact they have received support from as far a field as China, Australia and South Africa.

He added, 'Air travel is more than a local problem for the people in Warwickshire; the pollution emitted from aircrafts effects people globally. People are not prepared to sit and take it any more. We are taking action. And if enough people protest it might just influence politicians to rethink their ludicrous suggestions.

The 407, 791 protestors marching for liberty and livelihood, the biggest march ever seen in London, including Mark Pawsey and fellow residents of Warwickshire, certainly hope Whitehall is listening.

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Editors notes:
The Consultation document, 'The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom can be found by visiting <http://www.aviation.dft.gov.uk/consult/airconsult/midlands/main/index.htm>

www.arac.org.uk <http://www.arac.org.uk> was the first web site to go live & has had up to 15,000 visits so far.

Contact for further comments:
Gordon Hutchison
The Lawn
Rugby Borough Council
Newbold RD
Rugby
CV21 2LG
Tel: 01788 834700
e-mail :noairport@rugby.gov.uk

MPs names and constituencies affected:
Andy King MP,
Rugby & Kenilworth Constituency
Mike O'Brien MP,
North Warwickshire Constituency
Bill Olner MP,
Nuneaton Constituency
James Plaskitt MP,
Warwick & Leamington Constituency
Geoffrey Robinson MP,
Coventry North West Constituency
Mr John Maples
MP for Stratford-on-Avon