HARLOW MP Robert Halfon is supporting the Stop Stansted Expansion
campaign group in its demand for a long-term moratorium on a second
runway at Stansted.
The call follows the Conservative-led Government's pledge to stop an
extra runway at Stansted and comes after the news that flights in and out
of the west Essex airport have hit a ten-year low.
Mr Halfon said: "It was great news for the community when the second
runway proposals were scrapped but now it is vital that a firm guarantee
is given that these plans will not be allowed to resurface for many
decades to come."
He added: "The community around the airport is still getting itself back
together now that the runway proposals have been dropped but there are
many people, including those who may be considering purchasing
property in the area, who want some reassurance that they will not have
to worry about the prospect of airport expansion quite literally on their
doorstep."
Figures published by Stop Stansted Expansion this week show that last
year the airport handled 143,335 commercial flights compared to 146,500
in 2000.
The number of passengers handled also continued to decline dropping 7
per cent last year to 18.6 million passengers compared to 20.0 million
passengers in 2009.
At its peak in 2006-07 just over 24 million passengers passed through the
airport.
Mr Halfon said: "While airlines faced issues such as the Icelandic volcano
cloud in April and difficult weather conditions at the beginning and end of
last year these figures confirm what we have been saying for some time -
that there is no longer the demand on the airport which would warrant a
second runway making Stansted bigger than Heathrow."
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Issued by David Jackman (07710 447868) on behalf of Robert Halfon
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