Friends of the Earth: England: South East: Campaigns: Aviation

Aviation in the South East

Flying into trouble

The South East Regional Assembly is challenging the Government's aviation policy and is opposing its plans for new runways at Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

The Assembly, like Friends of the Earth, recognises that airport expansion runs contrary to the region's own Sustainable Development Strategy.

Plane landing

Southampton Airport

Southampton (Eastleigh) Airport currently handles around 1.5 million passengers.

The airport's masterplan outlines proposals to increase passenger numbers to 6 million by 2030.

The expansion will have the following negative effects:

Noise pollution
1,550 homes will be forced to endure average noise levels higher than those recommended by the World Health Organisation.
Road congestion
The airport boasts of being the closest of any European airport to a train station and yet the vast majority of passengers (86%) travel to it by car.
Climate change
Continued airport expansion could make it virtually impossible for us to meet our long-term climate targets.

Hampshire Friends of the Earth has responded to the airport's plans objecting to any further expansion.

Southampton City Council has said the scale of growth proposed is 'unsustainable' and Eastleigh Borough Council has expressed its reservations.

Lydd airport

A planning application has been submitted to expand Lydd airport in Kent. If approved the expansion of Lydd will result in:

Damage to habitats
Romney Marshes and other nearby overwintering sites for birds will be threatened.
Road traffic
Poor public transport means that most of the six million passengers expected by 2021 will reach the airport by road.

More information

visit Friends of the Earth's transport campaign
Tyndall Centre research on UK aviation