News
Business West report biased and weak
March 31, 2008
Business West commissioned researchers at UWE to compare two economic reports on the consequences of expanding BIA. Instead of this being an open and in-depth analysis of the methods, evidence and conclusions of those reports, we consider that the new study shows considerable prejudgment and bias, and a weakness of analysis.
Read our commentary on the report »
UK Citizens fly more than any other nationality in the World
March 3, 2008
A recent report by independent, global market research company TGI entitled "Green values: Consumers and branding" claims that "British people collect most air miles per head".
Read the report on the TGI website »
DfT Consultation on Heathrow Expansion
February 12, 2008
The Department for Transport is currently holding a consultation on the proposed expansion of Heathrow.
There is an email address for responses:
heathrowconsultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk
... and a postal address:
Heathrow Consultation
Department for Transport
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR
There is also an online response form but personal responses, emailed or posted, will carry more weight. The main points to make are:
1) increased flights will cause massive increase in climate changing emissions exactly when we are meant to be cutting them sharply
2) it will cause huge increase in road traffic
3) it will cause a significant worsening of the local air pollution
4) it will increase the number of people affected by noise
5) it is of questionable economic benefit as most extra passengers are either outbound tourists or transfer passengers
6) there are better ways to free capacity for instance investment in rail can reduce the need for domestic flights and flights to Paris, Brussels etc.
The consultation covers the third runway, the end to runway alternation and the sixth terminal, pushing LHR from 450000 flights a year to 700000 or more. The closing date is 27 February.
Launch of AirportWatch South West
February 12, 2008
Stop Bristol Airport Expansion has joined forces with other anti-airport campaigners throughout the South West to fight expansion at all the region's airports.
Read our press release about the launch 
(52 Kb)
Representatives from this new group met a group of the region's MPs at the House of Commons and received a very positive response.
Read our press release about the meeting with MPs (44 Kb)
Public Meetings
January 28, 2008
We have organised a series of public meetings for local people to find out more about how Bristol International Airport’s expansion plans are likely to affect their communities and what action they can take to oppose these plans.
Churchill, 28 February - Churchill War Memorial Hall
Felton, 5 March - Felton Village Hall
Yatton,12 March - Hangstones Pavillion
Speakers:
Hilary Burn - Parish Councils Airport Association
Georgie Bigg - Campaign to Protect Rural England (North Somerset)
The meetings will take place from 7.30-9pm, are open to all and will be an opportunity for people to discuss these issues and more.
Read our press release about the meetings (160 Kb)
Planning Application 07/P/3214/PAI
January 14, 2008
Immediately before Christmas BIA submitted a planning application to North Somerset Council under a General Permitted Development Order to construct a walkway between the terminal building and the western apron.
We believe that the development that has been applied for is in fact a terminal extension by stealth to enable expansion and has nothing to do with easing any current operational problems. This will impact massively on local communities with more traffic on local roads, more noise and more light pollution. More flights will add to North Somerset's contribution to the region's CO2 emissions.
Furthermore, Stop Bristol Airport Expansion has identified that the development the airport is asking for actually exceeds the constraints put on permitted development.
We insist that this application should be changed from a general permitted development order to one that is a full planning application. This will allow Councillors to make the decision, the public to express their views, and an environmental impact assessment to be submitted.
Details of the application on the NSC website »
Our summary of the proposals »
Our response to NSC »
SBAE campaigners march for CO2 emissions cuts
December 11, 2007
Stop Bristol Airport Expansion supporters, alongside other anti-airport expansion groups, joined the thousands of protesters who marched through the streets of London on Saturday 8 December to call for a positive outcome of the current climate change talks in Bali. Despite terrible weather conditions 10,000 people joined the demonstration, which was part of a global action which saw protesters take to the streets in 50 cities around the world.
A letter handed to Gordon Brown at Downing Street called on the Government to do its utmost at the UN conference to "secure an equitable emissions treaty that is effective in preventing the catastrophic destabilisation of global climate and which minimises dangerous climate change." The letter also urged the Government not to delay in upping its target to cut emissions from 60% to at least 80% by 2050.
BIA announces that planning applications will be delayed until 2008 - but continues to expand
October 18, 2007
Despite its announcement that planning applications will be delayed until well into 2008, the addition of Ryanair flights means that the airport expects usage to rise to 7 million mppa next year. This means annual emissions from flights from Bristol International Airport will make a greater contribution to climate change than several entire nations.
Read our press release about the delay to planning applications » (160 Kb)
Read our press release about the comparison between BIA emissions and other nations » (160 Kb)
Michael O'Leary compares airport expansion campaigners to Swampy
October 12, 2007
Michael O’Leary went on a foul-mouthed tirade at a press conference at the airport today. But his comments are ridiculous and ill-informed – he has simply got his facts wrong.
Read our response to Michael O'Leary's comments » (152 Kb)
Airport Expansion Threatens Peace of Rural Villages
September 28, 2007
Residents from Chew Valley filled Compton Martin village hall last night to raise concerns about the effects of expanding Bristol International Airport. Increased traffic, noise and more pollution were already affecting the area, residents said.
Read our press release publicising the meeting » (144 Kb)
Read our press release reporting on the meeting » (156 Kb)
Easyjet Initiative Dangerously Misses the Point
September 19, 2007
Easyjet have just launched a national campaign demanding that Government takes a more ‘intelligent approach’ to aviation. However the approach Easyjet suggests would do nothing to halt airport expansion or the increase in flights.
Find out more »
Take action »
Read our press release » (156 Kb)
Your chance to say "No!" to an airport the size of Luton
September 17, 2007
The Stop Bristol Airport Expansion campaign has organised a public meeting in the Chew Valley on Thursday 27 September, at 7.30pm in Compton Martin Village Hall, for local residents to find out more about the potential implications of Bristol airport’s expansion plans on their communities. The meeting is open to everyone and will be an opportunity for the public to voice their concerns and find out what action they can take.
Read our press release » (144 Kb)
Conservatives Call For Halt On Airport Expansion
September 13, 2007
The Conservative Party's "Blueprint for a Green Economy" , published on September 13 by the Conservative Party’s Quality of Life Policy Group, say that airport expansion plans in the UK should be put on hold because of the impact of aviation on climate change.
Instead, they say existing airport capacity should be better used – with more business and long haul flights that benefit the economy, and fewer short haul leisure flights which lead to a tourism deficit.
We urge the Conservative Party to act on the proposals, which are directly relevant to expansion plans for Bristol International Airport.
Read our press release » (152 Kb)
SBAE is supporting Climate Friendly Fortnight
September 10, 2007
The South West Wildlife Trusts (SWWT) are declaring September 15-30 as Climate Friendly Fortnight, creating regionwide opportunities to show and share the ways in which the South West is rising to the challenge of climate change.
Cut the Carbon March in Bristol on Saturday 15 September
August 23, 2007
Stop Bristol Airport Expansion campaign is joining the Cut the Carbon March picnic and rally from 12- 2pm on College Green, Bristol.
The Cut the Carbon March has been organised by Christian Aid and is passing through Bristol as part of a 1000 mile trek around the country to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change.
Find out more about the march »
Download the flier » (176 Kb)
A Message from Aqqaluk Lynge, Inuit Leader
August 8, 2007
Inuit leader Aqqaluk Lynge recently visited Britain to give evidence to the Stansted Airport Public Inquiry about how people in the Arctic Circle are already feeling the effects of climate change. He even had a message for North Somerset Council.
Watch a video about Aqqaluk Lynge and his message to NSC »
Council Motion In Support Of A Transport Authority For Greater Bristol
August 8, 2007
The decision to set up a STA (Strategic Transport Authority) was made with unanimous support at a full council meeting on July 24th. Bristol City councillors were due for an officers' briefing yesterday on the issue and there will be a report going to the West of England Partnership's next meeting.
Bristol Development Framework - Core Strategy
July 17, 2007
Bristol City Council is currently holding a public consultation on the Core Strategy, a key document in the Bristol Development Framework. It will set out the council's strategic approach to shaping the future of the city, and will play a key role in whether proposals for new development will be considered over the next 20 years.
Clearly, it is very important that all Bristol residents, as well as those affected by developments in Bristol, should express their opinion. Of key significance to SBAE supporters, though, is spatial option 3 which specifies development of the South Bristol Ring Road and expansion of the airport. We encourage our members to opt for something other than option 3!
Read the main page on the BCC website regarding the Core Strategy document »
Download the questionnaire to complete and return to BCC »
The consultation ran to August 17th.
Council Motion In Support Of A Transport Authority For Greater Bristol
July 17, 2007
Come and show your support on July 24th »
Manchester airport expansion plans rejected, Luton airport expansion plans scrapped
July 10, 2007
Hot on the heels of Luton airport's decision to scrap plans for a replacement runway and new terminal facilities at its Bedfordshire site on Friday, Manchester airport's plans to expand on to green belt land in Cheshire were today rejected by a government planning inspector, who supported the objections of Macclesfield Borough Council. These decisions follow a similar triumph for Warwick District Council, whose opposition to ambitious development plans at Coventry airport have halted plans to double passenger numbers.
Read the Independent article about Manchester's rejected expansion plans »
Read the Guardian article about Luton's scrapped expansion plans »
"...one of the most impressive protest groups is Stop Bristol Airport Expansion campaign..." - The Independent
July 10, 2007
Today's Independent featured the recent successes of anti-airport-expansion campaigns on its front page, and Bristol was included.
The article went on to say "By general consensus, one of the most impressive protest groups is Stop Bristol Airport Expansion campaign, which has the support of North Somerset District Council "
Read the article in The Independent »
ICM poll finds that 60% of the British public say NO to more airport expansion
June 27, 2007
Figures released from an ICM poll today show that 60% of the public think increasing flights from UK airports is a bad idea in the light of the impact of climate change. New Prime Minister Gordon Brown needs to take heed since the Government's policy of encouraging UK airports to expand is clearly flying in the face of public opinion. Airportwatch have published a full-page advert in The Times to publicise these findings.
Read the findings of the ICM poll » (60 Kb)
See The Times advert in full » (232 Kb)
Shadow transport minister acknowledges Bristol airport is at capacity in meeting with campaigners
June 18, 2007
In a private meeting, Shadow Minister for Transport Julian Brazier MP told representatives from SBAE campaign “It is clear that there are huge infrastructure constraints on Bristol airport’s expansion. The airport is at capacity in terms of the road network."
Read the press release (148 Kb)
2nd European Day Of Action On Aviation
June 17, 2007
A big THANK YOU once again to all who took part in this - either cycling or helping out. Thanks also to The Better Food Company, White Lake Cheese (Shepton Mallet) and Ruddle Court Farm (Newnham On Severn, Gloucester), for their discounts on cheese for the cyclists' lunch. Over 30 cyclists rode the 9 mile back lane route from Bristol Temple Meads to BIA - where police stopped the traffic to allow them to cycle round the roundabout at the airport's entrance. The event was covered by ITV, who filmed both the start and finish of the route, and broadcast on the 5pm news. It was also covered by Radio Bristol, GWR, the Bristol Evening Post on Monday (2nd edition) and is likely to be in this week's Clevedon Mercury and Weston Mercury, and July's Chew Valley Gazette.
Read our press release (160 Kb)
European Union Emissions Trading System
June 8, 2007
The inclusion of aviation into the European Union Emissions Trading System (EUETS) is one of the big talking points in Brussels at the moment. The European Commission has proposed legislation which will be debated and voted on in the European Parliament this Autumn. Friends of the Earth and other environment groups have published a joint position paper which explains what should happen to make EUETS as effective as possible in tackling climate change and what other measures should be introduced.
Read the Friends of the Earth briefing »
SBAE delivers eco 'welcome pack' to new airport boss
June 5, 2007
Campaigners from the Stop Bristol Airport Expansion group yesterday greeted BIA's new boss Paul Kehoe by presenting him with a 'Welcome Pack' designed to highlight the campaign's environmental concerns.
Read the press release (168 Kb)
Petition For A Transport Authority For Bristol
May 26, 2007
Bristol City Council's Green Party councillor Charlie Bolton has set up an online petition urging the Council to get behind an integrated transport policy for Bristol headed by an independent Transport Authority for the Greater Bristol Area (a campaign run by the Transport Alliance).
Sign the petition »
Read the explanation »
Planning proposals mean less democracy and more climate change
May 21 2007
We wish to condemn the Government's plans for reforming the planning system to speed up the building of major infrastructure projects, including airports. The reforms would mean that local communities would be consulted less about proposals that affect them, and could also lead to an increase in carbon emissions.
Read the press release (152 Kb)
Email Gordon Brown from the www.planningdisaster.org.uk website »
Email the Dept. for Communities and Local Government from the FoE website »
Government consultation on the Climate Change Bill
May 18, 2007
The Government is currently holding a public consultation on the draft climate change bill:
Read more on the DEFRA website
Once passed, it has the power to transform the way the UK operates, certainly with respect to our CO2 emissions. However, we believe that the bill is not adequate as it stands and needs to be strengthened. Specifically:
1) The targets for cuts must keep up with the science, and the bill should require 80% cuts in emissions (not 60%) by 2050;
2) The Government needs to set annual budgets and reviews, whereas the bill currently proposes reviews once every 5 years, effectively devolving responsibility to the next parliament;
3) International aviation and shipping must be included from the start.
More information and details as to how to respond are available on the Friends of the Earth website
The consultation runs until June 12th so please respond before then!
Conservative Party policy: aviation policy consultation
April 30, 2007
The Conservative Party is currently consulting the public regarding its policy with on aviation, particularly with respect of taxation. Please respond - the consultation ends on June 11.
Read about the consultation on the Conservative Party's website »
Read our response to the Green Skies consultation (160 Kb)
SBAE's comments on the Local Government Climate Change Commission
April 26, 2007
Read our press release (156 Kb)
BIA boss resigns
April 19, 2007
Bristol International Airport managing director Andrew Skipp has announced his resignation from the company. We wish him all the best for the future and hope his successor immediately abandons the disastrous plans to expand the airport.
The Global Warming Swindle Swindle
March 26, 2007
The controversy behind this recent Channel 4 'documentary' (described by C4 itself as a 'polemic') has reached new heights with the revelation that MIT Professor Carl Wunsch, who provided key contributions to the programme's evidence, has publicly complained about the gross distortion of facts:
"Fundamentally, I am the one who was swindled"
Read Professor Wunsch's response »
A guide to the facts and fictions of climate change from the Royal Society »
A critical analysis by the John Ray Institute of the 'facts' presented in the programme »
A scientific response to the programme compiled by University of Cambridge Programme for Industry »
Background about the scientists quoted in the programme from George Monbiot »
North Somerset Council sends strong
message over significant concerns
Feb 21, 2007
At a full council meeting of North Somerset Council on February 20th, the council raised significant concerns about:
- "...the absence of a viable and sustainable surface access strategy..."
- "... the need for an independent environmental and biodiversity impact assessment..."
- " ...answer anticipated growth in noise and other pollution
issues" - "...the need for an independent assessment into the economic cost/benefit impact on local and regional businesses..."
- "...call for full consideration of the Stern Report relating to climate change effects of an expanded airport..."
- "...We particularly note the apparent contradictions of expanding Bristol International Airport whilst calling for reductions in emissions from Bristol industry in order to attain Government targets..."
Read the motion in full »
Read our response to the motion »
Read our press release (160 Kb)
More than 4000 objections to the Master Plan have been registered with North Somerset Council
Feb 19, 2007
The official count currently stands at:
Objections: 4757
Support: 250
Read our press release (160 Kb)
Full Council to Finalise View on Master Plan: Meeting on 20th Feb 2007
Feb 13, 2007
North Somerset Council will be finalising their views on Bristol International Airport's Master Plan when the Full Council meet on Tuesday 20th February at 6 pm in the Town Hall, Weston super Mare.
More about this important meeting »
Council Decision (so far): Plan Requires Independent Assessment
Jan 19, 2007
At a meeting of North Somerset Council's Planning and Regulatory committee on January 18th, a motion requiring independent assessment of the expansion plans for Bristol International Airport (BIA) was passed. It is strongly welcomed by us.
Special SPED Meeting a Success!
Dec 22, 2006
A motion recommending the delay of expansion at Bristol International Airport (BIA) was passed by North Somerset Council at the special meeting held on December 20th.
Read about the panel's recommendations
Older news items...
Setting the record straight – further questions & answers
We've prepared an alternative view to expansion at Bristol International Airport. The points are the same ones addressed by BIA in their ‘setting the record straight’ Q&A Sheet.
Read our version of "Setting the record straight"
Master Plan Launched!
The Master Plan has been launched and consultation ran on it until 22nd December 2006.
You can see the master plan and summaries at:
http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/about_us/masterplan.aspx
See how the UK has warmed in the past century
Climate change to cost £trillions
"If the Government is truly listening, the findings of this report should influence national policy on aviation away from expansion and this in turn will have huge implications for the planned expansion at Bristol International airport" - Jeremy Birch, SBAE
Read the HM Treasury press release »
Read the full report on the HM Treasury website »
Download our press release 
(108 Kb)
"Airport's Expansion Crash Lands with MPs"
Local Conservative MPs Liam Fox and John Penrose launched a scathing attack on the proposed expansion plans.
Read Dr Liam Fox MP and John Penrose MP's letter in full »
Read the article in the Evening Post »
Visit www.unlimited-spurt.org
Friends of the Earth report further undermines economic case for expansion
Pie in the Sky (419Kb)
Pie in the Sky (summary) (65Kb)
Stephen Williams MP backs the campaign
The latest copy of "Bristol Reporter" - the newsletter produced by the Liberal Democrats for Bristol Residents - features a major article describing Stephen Williams' opposition to expansion plans. "Climate chaos is 'too important to ignore' says Lib Dem MP".
Bristol City Council: "serious concern" about Bristol Airport expansion plans
Bristol's first Green Party councillor Charlie Bolton's motion opposing Bristol Airport Expansion was passed with amendments at the Council meeting on September 12th. Bristol Friends of the Earth's Jeremy Birch described this as "a historic position for the council to take". The amended motion was approved unanimously.
Read the motion passed by BCC »
Read the article in the Evening Post »
Read the press release (111 Kb)
AirportWatch launches Rethink! campaign
The aviation white paper is driving the expansion of regional airports, including Bristol. AirportWatch's "Rethink!" campaign aims to persuade the Government that it must radically review this disastrous policy.
Visit the AiportWatch Rethink! website »
Download the Rethink! leaflet »
Stop Bristol Airport Expansion campaign wins an award!
Bristol Friends of the Earth - a key member of the coalition - has been awarded the Earthmovers Campaign of the Year 2006 at the Friends of the Earth national conference.
"Clearing the Air - the Myth and Reality of Aviation and Climate Change"
On 3rd July The European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E) and CAN-Europa released a report that gives a damning overview of the impact of aviation on climate change, and also examines the economic importance of the aviation sector.
Download the report in full from the T&E website
Read a summary of the report »
"More Flights, More Floods" - Public Meeting in Bristol, Thursday 6th July
The Stop Bristol Airport Expansion coalition organised a public meeting to allow everyone to hear the arguments and express their views. The speakers were Jeremy Birch from Bristol Friends of the Earth, Stephen Williams, MP for Bristol West, and Ian Ross from Bristol University's department of geographical Sciences.
Read The Evening Post's article online »
Read or download Jeremy's and Ian's presentations »
Bristol Airport bans protesters
Bristol Friends of the Earth is fiercely opposing plans by BIA to outlaw any demonstrations, protests or public assemblies being held on the airport site.
Read the press release about the proposed changes (104 Kb)
European Day of Action on Aviation, Saturday 10th June
Campaign groups from all over Europe took part in local events to highlight the rapidly growing level of opposition to airport expansion across Europe and to show national governments, the European Commission and the aviation industry that there is co-ordinated Europe-wide opposition. The SBAE campaign held a protest event on the morning of June 10th to join in with the Day of Action.
Read the press release »
"No Flightpath over Bath" - Public Meeting, 18th May
This well-attended public meeting proved to be a great success and resulted in all present, including Bath MP Don Foster, signing up to support the campaign.
Read or download Jeremy Birch's presentation »
Airport car park plan turned down
Bristol Airport cannot expand car parking at the southern
side of the site for the next five years, a government planning inspector
ruled.
Read more on the BBC website »
Bristol Airport consultation report published
Jeremy Birch's response: "Lots of 'need to communicate' and not much 'need to change', most critically BIA hasn't looked at the biggest issue - climate change - at all"
Download the full report from the Bristol Airport website (1.5Mb)
Download the executive summary (36Kb)
SBAE recently hit the local press to let the public know about the issues
View or download a full-size copy of the advert placed in Venue Magazine »
View or download a full-size copy of the advert placed in the Chew Valley Gazette »
View or download a full-size copy of the advert placed in the Bath Evening Chronicle »
Times poll shows half of voters are in favour of new taxes on air travel
Read The Times article online »
13 Year Old Demonstrates at BIA
13 year old Ellie Silk of Redhill led a demonstration at Bristol Airport against
its plans. Her protest was covered by the Evening Post.
Read the Evening Post article online »
Bristol Friends of the Earth's response to the Draft Masterplan
Jeremy Birch of Bristol FoE has drafted an official response to the proposals.
Read the response to the expansion masterplan »
Peter Ainsworth's speech to the Royal Aeronautical Society
Peter Ainsworth MP gave an excellent speech at the Greener By Design Conference
held by the Royal Aeronautical Society on Wednesday 2nd November 2005. It
highlights the fundamental flaws of the Governments aviation white paper.
Read the text of Peter Ainsworth's speech »
Special SPED Meeting a Success!
A motion recommending the delay of expansion at Bristol International Airport (BIA) was passed by North Somerset Council at the special meeting held on Decmber 20th.
Read about the panel's recommendations
Petition Tony Blair to stop Stansted Airport expansion
The group "Stop Stansted Expansion" (SSE) would very much appreciate your help in signing their e-petition against further Stansted expansion.
Tony Blair has set up a website for e-petitions and one of SSE's members has created one on Stansted expansion. The wording is:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Stop the further
expansion of Stansted Airport beyond 25 million passengers per annum."
To sign, go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Stansted
See how the UK has warmed in the past century
Climate change to cost £trillions
"If the Government is truly listening, the findings of this report should influence national policy on aviation away from expansion and this in turn will have huge implications for the planned expansion at Bristol International airport" - Jeremy Birch, SBAE
Read the HM Treasury press release »
Read the full report on the HM Treasury website »
Download our press release (108 Kb)
Liam Fox MP and John Penrose MP: "Airport's Expansion Crash Lands with MPs"
Local Conservative MPs Liam Fox and John Penrose launched a scathing attack on the proposed expansion plans.
Read Dr Liam Fox MP and John Penrose MP's letter in full »
Read the article in the Evening Post »
Stephen Williams MP backs the campaign
The latest copy of "Bristol Reporter" - the newsletter produced by the Liberal Democrats for Bristol Residents - features a major article describing Stephen Williams' opposition to expansion plans. "Climate chaos is 'too important to ignore' says Lib Dem MP".
Bristol City Council: "serious concern" about Bristol Airport expansion plans
Bristol's first Green Party councillor Charlie Bolton's motion opposing Bristol Airport Expansion was passed with amendments at the Council meeting on September 12th. Bristol Friends of the Earth's Jeremy Birch described this as "a historic position for the council to take". The amended motion was approved unanimously.
Read the motion passed by BCC »
Read the article in the Evening Post »
Read the press release (111 Kb)
The Whitelegg Report
World authority on sustainable transport Professor John Whitelegg dispels the myth that airport expansion is good for the economy.
Read the Whitelegg report »