Ramblers calls government's bluff at Stansted Airport Inquiry

Ramblers calls government's bluff at Stansted Airport Inquiry29/05/2007

The Ramblers' Association (RA) will call the government's bluff at the opening of the Stansted Airport Inquiry (30 May, Endeavour House, Stansted Airport).

The national walking charity - the Ramblers' Association (RA) - will call the government's bluff at the opening of the Stansted Airport Inquiry (30 May, Endeavour House, Stansted Airport)[1]. The government has pledged to reduce carbon emissions yet it continues to invest in aviation, which is the most polluting form of transport.

The RA feels that allowing this development will set a worrying precedent for future blots on the landscape. The original proposal was rejected by Uttlesford District Council and BAA's decision to push for an inquiry undermines faith in local democracy as well as the government's own report from Sir Nicholas Stern on the cost of climate change.

The national walking charity is concerned that a successful appeal will encourage other developers to push ahead with plans for similar major infrastructure projects, including new roads and power stations, across the country. Under proposals in the government's new Planning White Paper, these could be rammed through in the face of local opposition, and at time when the nation needs more green spaces for health and well-being.

Patrick Grady, countryside protection manger, at the RA said: "Walking in the countryside has the potential to improve health and wellbeing, and is a cheap and enjoyable form of exercise. Airport expansion destroys the countryside, pollutes the air, and makes the outdoors too noisy for people to enjoy and in turn British tourists end up more familiar with foreign holiday resorts than the beautiful countryside on their doorstep."

Philip Greswell, RA Countryside Secretary, Hertfordshire said: "This expansion will have a huge impact on the local people here. The airport has a negative effect on walking opportunities in the county already and this will only worsen. Footpaths will be lost and the quality of walking will deteriorate significantly which surely goes against the message from government encouraging us to do our bit in the battle against climate change. "

www.ramblers.org.uk/countryside/responses/ra_stanstedinqpoe.pdf