The Government has announced that additional runway capacity in the South East should be provided at Heathrow Airport and in doing so the Conservative Party has broken its promise to Surrey residents not to build a third runway at Heathrow.

This decision is in direct contradiction of promises made by David Cameron, the former Prime Minister, who said in 2009 that: “The third runway at Heathrow is not going ahead, no ifs, no buts.”  In addition, the Conservative manifesto of 2010 promised no third runway at Heathrow.

The Liberal Democrat position is clear. We recognise the importance of both Heathrow and Gatwick to the economy of Surrey, but have consistently backed a “no expansion” policy for both airports as we do not see how Surrey’s infrastructure or environment can cope with such an increase in noise, air pollution and traffic congestion.

We also believe that an additional runway in the South East will make the quality of life for the people we represent much, much worse through additional air and noise pollution and will harm the natural environment of Surrey, one of the greenest counties in the UK.

We thus remain opposed to any expansion of Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted, and any new airport in the Thames Estuary and will continue to campaign against this disastrous decision to build a new runway at Heathrow.

Personally, I am delighted that the government have decided not to proceed with an additional runway at Gatwick. However, the airport has recently announced that they are considering going ahead with a second runway regardless of the Government’s announcement and I will continue to oppose a further runway at Gatwick due to the detrimental impact on Surrey residents and the Surrey countryside.