Standing Against Luton Expansion

With the serious impacts of an airport expansion of this size, we must carefully consider the real cost of such a development. That’s why I oppose the Luton expansion and I support the Climate Change Committee in calling for a framework to manage aviation capacity across the UK before any airport expansion.

If you agree sign the petition here

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Victoria Collins’ written submission for more on why she opposes the current proposals.

Protesting the proposed expansion of Luton Airport

I am writing about the proposed expansion of Luton airport, to 32 million passengers per year. I have been contacted by many concerned residents, in the Harpenden and Berkhamsted area, about the devastating impact of more noise, air pollution and infrastructure usage which will be unable to hold this expansion to Luton Airport. I very much support their concerns to the proposed expansion for the multiple negative impacts it would have on the local environment and quality of life for people living in the area as well as undermining our efforts to tackle climate change without a UK-wide approach.

The increased noise from the 60% more flights overall impacts many communities around Luton. For local people, the increased aircraft noise can wake them at night, disrupt concentration and destroy the peacefulness of our precious natural environment, including our well-loved Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,- impacting precious wildlife in return.

The increase in flights itself would reduce air quality, with aircraft being one of the most polluting modes of transport. Furthermore, with up to 40,000 additional passenger journeys each day by car as well as many more by rail it drives even more pollution and leaves our local infrastructure bursting at the seams. This would be on local roads such as the A505 and Power Luton Road as well as the M1.

What's more, if we're going to tackle climate change head-on, we must take a long-term approach and act now. The Climate Change Committee, for example, says priority actions and policies are needed in a range of areas, including a framework to manage aviation capacity overall. They advise no airport expansions should proceed until a UK-wide capacity management framework is in place to annually assess and, if needed, control sector GHG emissions and non-CO2 effects.

With the serious impacts of this decision, we must carefully consider the real cost of such a development.

Yours sincerely

Victoria Collins