Reasons
Against Expansion at Southampton Airport
- a number of
densely populated areas
of Southampton and Eastleigh are already subjected to chronic levels of
noise pollution. Bitterne Park is especially affected, as it is
on a hill within the landing zone of the airport, which means very low
flying aircraft when they are landing from the South.
- as well as a large number of homes,
there are also two primary schools and a secondary school in this area
- aircraft noise has been linked to
sleep deprivation, tinnitus, high blood pressure, and slower congnitive
development in children.
BAA Southampton are doing a public
consultation on the noise plan. You can find by visiting www.southamptonairport.com
and click on Noise Action Plan 2009.
Aircraft emit a
number of pollutants,
including Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Particulate Matter (PM10), Sulphur
Dioxide (SO2) and various Hydrocarbons. NOx can cause respiratory
infections such as influenza, whilst particulates can penetrate deep
into the lungs, carrying with them surface-absorbed carcinogens.
EU air quality standards state that annual levels of both NOx and PM10
should average at no more than 40µg/m3.
In March
2006, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy published a report which
identified nine airports which were in breach of the EU target on
NOx. Southampton was around 50% over the limit.
Increasing
road traffic congestion
The airport is immediately off Wide Lane,
which links Eastleigh to
Junction 5 of the M27. These roads are currently at
gridlock. The airport's plans assume that a relief road will be
built to the East of the airport at some point in the future
(Chickenhall Link Road), although this could be optimistic.
Aviation
is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas
emissions. Carbon dioxide emissions from UK aviation have more
than doubled since 1990, and are forecast to continue increasing.
Figures published by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Research shows that
if airport expansion happens all over the country as planned, it will
be impossible to meet our targets for reducing CO2 emissions (60% under
the Kyoto Agreement, 80% under the UK's own Climate Change Bill)
without reducing all other sources of emissions to zero.
The proponents of expansion argue that
such expansion will create lots
of jobs and bring a lot of money to the economy. Yet in spite of
its exemption from VAT and fuel duty, the industry is contracting, and
we urgently need to reshape our economy around principles of fairness
and sustainability. To find out more, click here.
To get in
touch, or to report problems with this site, e-mail
info_at_southamptonaxe.org.uk.
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