Stansted - epetition reply

4 January 2008

We received a petition asking:

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Stop the further expansion of Stansted Airport beyond 25 million passengers per annum."

 

Details of Petition:

 

"Prevent the further expansion of Stansted Airport beyond the current maximum limit of 25 million passenger per annum by ensuring that both: a) Further expansion by greater use of the existing single runway to a level greater than 25mppa is not allowed. b) The construction of a proposed second runway is not permitted."

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Read the Government's response

The Government recognises that a range of differing views on aviation and airports policy are held. The Department for Transport works hard to engage with key stakeholders on the many different issues that are raised.

The Government's policy on aviation was set out in The Future of Air Transport White Paper, published in 2003. The White Paper set out a long-term strategy for the sustainable development of air travel to 2030, recognising the growing aspirations to travel and the economic benefits that it brings, while tackling the environmental challenges.

The White Paper states that delivering a new runway at Stansted is a priority, and should be the first runway in the South East for several decades. The 2003 White Paper was compiled following extensive public consultation on the different options under consideration. The decisions in the White Paper took account of all consultation responses and balanced the economic, environmental and social impacts of airport development. The White Paper also sets out the Government's support for maximising the use of existing runways ahead of additional runway capacity.

The Public Inquiry into the airport operator's 'Generation 1' application closed in October. This is to raise the passenger cap from 25 million to 35 million passengers per annum on the existing runway. A joint Department for Communities and Local Government and Department for Transport Ministerial decision is expected in spring 2008.