Ruth responds to Government's Heathrow announcement

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Following the Government's announcement about Heathrow, Ruth said:

"I condemn today's Government announcement to push ahead with approving a third Runway at Heathrow. I cannot support a scheme that will not only bring misery to my constituents not already overflown on the existing approach paths, but could well mean higher ticket costs for passengers, or yet more taxpayer subsidy into Heathrow.

"A third runway at Heathrow will bring yet more noise and traffic congestion to West London with no net economic benefit to the commercial interests of the UK. The Government says the scheme will be privately financed, yet neither the airport nor the airlines will fund the essential public transport infrastructure nor the noise mitigation measures that are needed to make it operational feasible. Without permanent subsidy for regions beyond the South East, an expanded Heathrow will mean reduced connectivity, and fewer international links.

"The Government have ignored the forensic work of the Commons Transport Committee which conditioned their support for expansion on guarantees of adequate noise protection and public transport access, on protection for regional airports and no increase in flight slot charges. More and more MPs from around the country are now saying they cannot support this white elephant which we don't want in West London.

"The Government's announcement today will be followed by a vote in the Commons on a third runway sometime in the next few weeks."

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