Protest over Yorkshire airports
01.03.08
Climate change campaigners from flood affected areas in Yorkshire have launched a protest against airport expansion. Fifteen people blockaded the entrance to government offices on City Walk, Leeds, demonstrating over aviation growth that is linked to flooding.
The protesters, who erected tents, are residents of South Yorkshire, Hull and the Calder Valley who have all been affected by severe floods. They were lobbying against government plans to expand the area's airports, including Leeds Bradford Airport and Robin Hood.
Penny Eastwood, one of the protesters from the Calder Valley better known for recent protests when she superglued herself to offices and airports, said: 'Yorkshire is most at risk from climate change and the expansion of Robin Hood or Leeds Bradford airports would have a huge increase in aviation emissions and in that sense increase the risk of flooding. People here have had their homes devastated by flooding and we are lobbying to make the government try to decrease, not increase, the risk.'
The protest, which began at about 08:00 yesterday and ended mid-afternoon, coincided with the final stages of the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) being approved by government minister Baroness Andrews, which would allow a threefold expansion of passenger flights from Yorkshire and Humberside.
Mrs Eastwood added: 'The government are flying in the face of science and undermining any hope of preventing climate change beyond control. It will spell misery for families throughout the region.'
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book leeds bradford airport hotels or leeds bradford airport parking at the lowest price, click on these links to two great leeds bradford airport parking and leeds bradford airport hotels price comparison pages.
