independent Cornish news and comment

Newquay airport expansion

Paper released critiquing Newquay Airport expansion

CoSERG welcomed the report released last week “Newquay Airport Expansion: The Case Examined” by Groundswell analysing the issue of expanding Newquay airport. The report concludes that “in the light of the current threat of peak oil, the damage to the environment, and the questionably contribution to Cornwall’s economy the case for expansion is not made. Moreover the plans send a clear signal that Cornwall does not take climate change seriously.”

The report contends that the importance of the airport to the business community is overstated and cites evidence that suggests that airport expansion does not lead to economic growth. Purely on a commercial level, it is contended that even with increased passenger numbers the airport would not be a profitable concern. Pointing out that air transport is the least efficient form of transport, the expected fall in the supply of oil which would lead to rising prices would seriously impact upon the air sector. However, the main thrust of the report is that airport expansion is simply unsustainable in that the emissions released will have a serious impact upon the atmosphere exacerbating climate change. It is also stated that expansion will lead to additional car traffic to and from the airport, with reference to suggestions that a new road will be required to accommodate this.

CoSERG believe that the report provides a crucial and timely sense of realism to the debate about transport in Cornwall. There is a desperate need to re-assess the current transport policy being pursued in Cornwall, which with its emphasis on road and air is simply unsustainable. By increasing dependence upon air transport Cornwall is simply encouraging the least environmentally friendly form of transport available.

CoSERG consider that airport expansion is also likely to have other negative impacts including impacts on the Cornish housing market. With travel times reduced, particularly to the South-East, the demand for second homes will grow; adding to already inflated local house prices. The problem of rising house prices in London due to the inflated earnings from city bonuses will be transferred to Cornwall, pushing up prices and limiting affordability.

http://www.groundswellcornwall.org/newquayairport