2M say Hoon exit is ‘time for Heathrow rethink’
13.06.09
Transport secretary Geoff Hoon’s resignation provides an opportunity for the Government to rethink its policy towards the expansion of Heathrow Airport, according to the 2M Group. Mr Hoon is succeeded by Lord Adonis, formerly a junior transport minister, with speculation that he is seeking the EU commissioner role.
Hounslow Council’s leader, Cllr Peter Thompson, speaking on behalf of 2M said: ‘All the local councils, residents organisations, environmental groups and business leaders who lined up to tell Geoff Hoon he was wrong about building a new airport the size of Gatwick at Heathrow will welcome his resignation.'
‘Lord Adonis now has the chance to draw a line under the Hoon era and take a long, hard look at just how a third runway fits with the Government’s policies on climate change. We know Lord Adonis is enthusiastic about high speed rail, but we have to get him to see that simply building a fast line to Heathrow will only increase demand for air travel. Instead we should be putting in place a national network that provides real alternatives to short haul flights.’
‘We will be writing to Lord Adonis and seeking an early meeting with him. It would be a tragedy if a new transport secretary simply meant business as usual. Now is the time to reassess the environmental and economic case for a third runway and compare this against the benefits from investment in a high speed rail network linking England and Scotland.’
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