The Green Party has called for ‘irresponsible’ airport expansion to be ruled out as the Government prepares to announce its decision on a new runway in the coming days.
Keith Taylor, Green MEP for the South East, highlighted a report by the University of Cambridge which states increased road traffic associated with airport expansion will lead to an increase in poisonous nitrogen dioxide.
Mr Taylor said: “The findings are a stark reminder that aviation NO2 emissions continue to grow while almost every other industry is taking steps to become less toxic.
“With an air pollution crisis in the UK responsible for the deaths of an estimated 50,000 people every year, it’s entirely wrong to approve the expansion of one toxic industry, on the basis that others are becoming less toxic.”
