West of England Greens Oppose Bristol Airport Expansion During Dangerous Heat Wave

With temperatures set to hit dangerous levels this week, Greens from Bristol, North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset have once again expressed their opposition to the proposed expansion of Bristol Airport, as the airport’s consultation on proposed expansion plans draws to a close.

In their opposition, the West of England Greens highlight unacceptable emissions contributing to dangerous warming, increased noise, encroachment onto a medieval registered common land and the limited evidence that expansion will drive forward economic growth for the region.

Greens are also urging the public to complete the public consultation on the airport’s application to expand, which is open until the 28th of June.

Bristol Green Party have consistently opposed the expansion of Bristol Airport, and slammed the expansion plans last year as ‘tone deaf and reckless’.

The group also put forward a motion that was passed last year that commits the council to oppose the proposed expansion, and have put in a response to the recent consultation.

Councillor Izzy Russell, who put forward the motion, said; “Not only will this expansion add hundreds of thousands if not millions of tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere to impact our rapidly changing climate, it will not drive forward growth.”

“By supporting this expansion, this Government shows that it cares more about the profits of airports and airlines than it does about a liveable future for humanity.

“I urge everyone to complete the consultation to let Bristol Airport know that the West of England thinks it is big enough.”

The New Economics Foundation found that the boom in air travel from 2015 to 2019 failed to increase UK productivity or GDP growth. And frequent and ultra-frequent flyers accounted for 63% of new passenger traffic. These are people who took over 30% of all flights despite being less than 3% of the population. The number of UK residents not flying at all each year has increased at the same time.

The proposed expansion would also increase night flights by 1000 a year – a hike of 25% meaning that there were a total of 5000 a year; nearly as many as the 5800 allowed at the vastly larger Heathrow.

Councillor Bridget Petty, Leader of the Green Group on North Somerset Council, said; “Living in Backwell, we border Bristol Airport. Even with the windows shut, I’m woken by aeroplanes. More planes would impact residents in Backwell. Millions more passengers means millions more car journeys and cars parked in local fields and landscape.

“This is the only airport in the country with no rail, no motorways or even a dual carriage way to get to it. Our local villages can take no more. The airport is big enough.

“For those of us fighting to prevent total climate and nature collapse, another airport expansion is a slap in the face.”

Bristol Airport’s expansion plans also include taking over a section of Felton Common, which is registered common  land so owned by us all.

Councillor Annemieke Waite, Winford ward – where both the airport and Felton Common are located – said; “Felton Common is a treasured public green space that provides a haven for wildlife and a place for people to connect with nature. At a time when the UK is experiencing one of the most severe declines in nature in the world, we should be protecting and restoring our natural environment, not allowing it to be chipped away for further airport expansion.

“The climate, ecological and community impacts of more flights, larger aircraft, increased traffic and further habitat destruction cannot be ignored. Once these precious green spaces are lost, they are gone forever.

“Felton Common has existed as designated common land since medieval times. We have a responsibility to safeguard this historic piece of common land for future generations and to stand up for nature, public access to green space, and the wellbeing of our communities.”

Cllr Joanna Wright, Leader of the Bath and North East Somerset Green Group said; “The Government’s own climate committee has said that there should be no net expansions of the UK’s airports. It is really incomprehensible that a planning application of this nature could be granted, at a cost to local people’s health and well-being, the green belt and the effect on global emissions, which is literally causing us to be on fire.

“Everyone is being asked to find ways to address their own carbon outputs, yet Bristol Airport appears to think that it is special – this is wrong.”

Greens are also calling on Mayor Godwin and all local MPs to also oppose the expansion plans. The West of England mayor, Labour’s Helen Godwin, has refused to share her views on the planned expansion of Bristol Airport after being asked by Green Councillor Jerome Thomas.