Birmingham Airport anti-Noise Group

Issues: Local Government Contact us

July 2004

Birmingham Hodge Hill by-election 2004

Hodge Hill goes to the polls on Thursday 15th July for a snap by-election following the resignation of long-standing Labour MP Terry Davis. This is an important election for BANG as a quarter of our 400+ official supporters live in the Hodge Hill constituency. Indeed, it was Hodge Hill residents who started the group back in 2002.

We asked the candidates: (a) whether they support or oppose expansion at BIA as proposed in the Department for Transport's Air Transport White Paper 2003 (i.e. a second runway and extension of the existing runway); (b) if they oppose it, and assuming they are elected, what action they will take in this regard; (c) if they support it, their reasons for adopting this position; (d) and what action they will take to address the continuing problem of aircraft noise and pollution in the area. Their responses (in alphabetical order) were as follows:

Liam Byrne, Labour

"I share the concerns of many residents of Hodge Hill about the impact of aircraft noise on people’s quality of life.
The expansion of Birmingham Airport is clearly a major issue to many people. It is clear that any increase in flights increase in flights at BIA will affect local people, indeed night time flights would have severe detrimental impact. I am opposed to any increase in night time flights.

I am a supporter of the European Directive 2002/30/EC, which seeks to limit the use of older/louder aircraft. And I feel much more can be done to push airline companies and aircraft producers to work towards producing quieter aircraft.
However, the other side of the debate is that the expansion of the airport will create a boost to the local economy and create/sustain jobs in the area. It will also be good news for those people who have to travel to Manchester or one of the London airports to catch their flights.

Obviously one of the many roles of an MP is to reflect the views of his/her constituents and if I am elected on July 15th, then I will make it an early priority to consult as many local people as possible about the proposed expansion at BIA. I will then use the results of that consultation to ensure that the Government, the Airport and the Airlines listen to the voice of local residents.

I would also be interested to know if local Lib Dems still oppose the development at BIA, considering they have been able to put so many of their principles to one side in order to join the pro-expansionist [sic] Tories in controlling the City Council."

Nicola Davies, Liberal Democrats

"I have along with Liz Lynne MEP and Lorely Burt, the Liberal Democrat PPC [prospective parliamentary candidate] for Solihull, campaigned consistently against a 2nd runway at Birmingham Airport, and continue to do so. A second runway at Birmingham Airport will cause intolerable levels of noise and air pollution for local residents, and is totally unnecessary in any case - even according to the government’s own questionable statistics, the current runway won’t reach capacity for more than 20 years. I do, however, support measures to make better use of the current site and maintain Birmingham’s role as the leading airport for our region.

I, along with Liz Lynne MEP and Lorely Burt, will continue to apply pressure to the airport authorities to ensure that all the proper assessments are made and environmental concerns taken into account.

As a Candidate in the European Elections I also promoted our European manifesto, which committed us to “reforming aviation taxation to support cleaner fuels and more efficient aircraft.” It goes on to say, “This should be based on the ‘polluter pays’ principle, where charges are based on the amount of pollution created rather than on a flat rate for all use. This encourages companies to use cleaner fuels and more efficient aircraft, and should be part of a longer-term EU strategy for reducing energy use and pollution.

Please keep me informed about your campaign."

Stephen Eyre, Conservative

"I fully appreciate the strength of feeling that this issue generates on both sides of the argument.

My own view, as a West Midlands resident all my life, is that I am far from convinced of the need for a second runway at Birmingham. On a single runway, the airport currently handles around 9 million passengers, compared with 19 million at Stansted and 30 million at Gatwick. I still believe, therefore, that there is room for expanding capacity within the existing site - something that I would need to consider but might be prepared to support.

This, in my opinion, would better balance the need to protect the quality of life of those living in the immediate area, while being mindful of the needs of businesses operating in the West Midlands area and the desire by many people to take advance [sic] of the freedom to travel that the growth in the low cost air market has brought.

As you know, the Government has accepted a scheme put forward by Birmingham airport that was not part of the original consultation. I believe this makes a mockery of the whole process and will seriously affect a great many people in the Hodge Hill constituency and across the area through noise and blight.

If elected, I shall make it a priority to launch a comprehensive survey of opinion in the constituency on this crucial issue. At the very least, if the current expansion scheme goes ahead I shall join the campaign for Birmingham to bring forward a support scheme similar to that proposed by Stansted for people whose property values are affected these plans."

John Rees, Respect: the Unity Coalition

"Congratulations on the arguments your campaign has developed to support its cause. My answers to your 4 questions are as follows:

a. I oppose the expansion of Birmingham airport.

b. The powers of a single MP are limited but my campaigning experience as a founder of the Stop the War Coalition would be available to you. Whatever I can do for you, and other protest campaigns, in terms of publicity and parliamentary lobbying I would be pleased to undertake.

c. I am opposed, in this case as in others, to the power of big business over-riding the health, social and environmental concerns of ordinary people. In addition, air passengers, especially those on low incomes, rarely wish to travel at night. It is difficult and, when travel and accommodation are taken into account as well as the price of the ticket, more expensive. Airport workers rarely relish night shifts. The only ones who benefit are the airline and airport owners.

d. The power of protest is really the only weapon that ordinary people have. Supporting those organising such activity is a key role for any elected representative."