Second runway predictions 'pie in the sky'

2.48.57pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 11th Oct 2005

Birmingham Airport's second runway may not be built until 2030 if at all, according to Solihull's MP Lorely Burt, who addressed a meeting of Friends of the Earth in advance of the publication of the Airport's master plan in Birmingham last night.

'After 9-11 and given the increase in oil prices, the government's calculation that the second runway will be needed by 2016 is pie in the sky' she said.

'The days of predict and provide are over for two reasons. Firstly with an unpredictable world that has seen the impact of 9-11 and oil shoot up from $25 to $60 a barrel in the last 5 years governments simply cannot make an accurate assessment of future air travel needs with any certainty.

'Secondly countries are having to take action against global warming with international carbon exchange programmes under consideration. It makes no sense for the aviation industry to be left out when they will eventually become the main creators of carbon emissions if left unchecked.' she added.

Birmingham Airport's master plan will be published in the next few weeks and is expected to revise the target for when Birmingham's second airport will be needed from 2016 to 2020. They are also expected, however, to call for the extension of the existing runway which was part of the last master plan.

Commenting on the runway extension, which would involve diverting the A45 and putting it under a tunnel for a distance, Mrs Burt said 'Even here it is by no means certain when this will go ahead as the money will have to be found from private sponsors.'

Elmdon Lib Dem councillor Barbara Harber, who also attended the meeting, said 'I am particularly concerned for local residents whose homes have been blighted by the possibility of the second runway. It's totally unfair to leave people in limbo.'

Also speaking at the meeting was Friends of the Earth aviation campaigner Richard Dyer, and representatives from anti-airport expansion groups BANG and SOAR.

Richard Dyer said 'Aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon emissions. The government's policy is to decrease emissions by 60% by 2050 but they cannot achieve this without taking action on aircraft emissions.'