LEMBIT PAYS A FLYING VISIT TO BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 2nd May 2006

Lembit Öpik MP visited Solihull today to look at the expansion plans for Birmingham International Airport. Lembit, a keen pilot, reviewed the plans and toured the areas affected by the airport and the proposed expansion.

Solihull and Meriden Liberal Democrats have opposed plans for a second runway at Birmingham International Airport. A second runway would have an unacceptable impact on local residents and is not needed for the foreseeable future.

Lembit heard from Lib Dem Elmdon Ward candidate, Jean Hamilton, and councillor Barbara Harber, that blight on local properties and inadequate transport infrastructure were major concerns for local residents.

Local Liberal Democrats are in favour of extending the existing runway to enable it to handle larger aircraft. This would mean that Birmingham could compete with Heathrow and Manchester for international flights and have an economic benefit for the whole West Midlands region

Commenting on his visit to the affected area, Lembit Öpik MP said:

"Having visited Birmingham Airport, I can fully understand the importance of the Airport for the economy of the West Midlands.

"But I can also see why Lorely Burt has been working so hard to fight against the second runway. The Draft Master Plan has failed to convince me that the runway is actually needed or wanted here.

"If built, I don't doubt that the second runway would have a negative impact on the lives of the local community."

Lorely Burt MP added:

"I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to show Lembit, a pilot and fellow Liberal Democrat MP, that extending the existing runway could lead to increased efficiency and will boost the local economy.

"However, it is ever more clear to me that a second runway is totally unnecessary. It would create more noise and air pollution for local residents. Properties are being blighted now, and whole swathes of houses clearly affected are not even covered by the proposed compensation scheme.

This blight could end now if the plans for the second runway were withdrawn."