WALTHAM FOREST: Lib Dems call for probe over airport expansion (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAM FOREST: Lib Dems call for probe over airport expansion

9:03am Wednesday 21st October 2009

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WALTHAM Forest Council should consider taking legal action against Newham Council over increased flights from London City Airport, according to the Liberal Democrats.

Concerns have been raised about noise and pollution caused by a rise in aircraft over Waltham Forest as a result of expansion approved by Newham Council which Waltham Forest Council insists it was not consulted on.

A motion proposed by Cllr Farooq Qureshi, which will be discussed by councillors tomorrow (Thursday), says legal action should be considered over the lack of consultation and calls for an investigation into what the council knew about the airport expansion and changes to flight paths.

Cllr Qureshi also calls for council chief executive Andrew Kilburn to write to the mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, condemning the lack of consultation and the decision to approve the changes.

If the motion is passed, Mr Kilburn will also write to the Mayor of London and air authorities to explain their role, and ask the EU Commissioner to investigate the impact the expansion has had on residents.

However, a political row could be developing over the increased flights.

Labour councillor Adam Gladstone has criticised two of the three Liberal Democrats serving on the council's Transport Consultative Group for not attending a meeting which discussed the issue of increased flights from London City Airport on Tuesday.

"Is this yet another case of Lib Dem grandstanding rather than genuinely trying to tackle this issue?," he said.

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