John Penrose

Conservative Party | Weston-super-Mare

Local MPs Meet Concerned Groups on Bristol International Airport Expansion

Weston-super-Mare MP John Penrose and Woodspring MP Dr Liam Fox yesterday met with groups concerned about the expansion of Bristol International Airport and other airports in the South West region.

The meeting, held in The Houses of Parliament, was a chance for groups concerned about the economic, local and environmental impacts of airport expansion to express their views to the two South West MPs. Those present included the Parish Councils’ Airport Association, AirportWatch South West, Stop Bristol Airport Expansion and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Bristol International Airport lies on the border of the Weston-super-Mare/Woodspring constituencies and since the publication of Government’s 2003 White Paper ‘The Future of Air Transport’ has been preparing a Master Plan setting out how it intends to grow over the next 10 years and beyond.

The two MPs have already voiced their concerns about the airport, saying that local residents' fears about eroding green belt, aircraft noise and congestion caused by increasing airport traffic must all be addressed before any expansion plans are allowed to go ahead.

Speaking after the meeting Weston-super-Mare MP John Penrose said:

“It was great to meet with the groups and hear their concerns. Many of their warnings match what Liam and I have been saying for a long time.

“With an increase of flights the airport’s expansion plans must address the problems of aircraft noise which already affects a large number in the area. Local transport links have to be improved also. In many places the only way to get to the airport is to drive through our villages. If the number of passengers flying from the airport doubles by 2030 as BIA believes then something has to be done to prevent residents from suffering the noise and congestion this entails.

“The airport also needs to make a much stronger case about the expansion’s effect on the local economy, and that any expansion plans have to be agreed within a national and international framework of emissions targets to reduce the environmental harm and global warming effects of air travel too.

“If expansion is to go ahead, a carefully constructed plan, considerate of aircraft noise, increased traffic in our villages, effects on the local economy and on the green belt that surrounds the airport needs to be created”.