Lib Dems welcome County Council vote on airports

Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council have welcomed the unanimous vote by Surrey County Council to support their call for the County Council to write to the Secretary of State for Transport to express its view that while being pro economic growth the Surrey environment must be protected when assessing options for managing airport capacity in the UK.

Liberal Democrat county councillor Ian Beardsmore said: "The airports surrounding Surrey are essential for the Surrey economy, many of my own residents in Sunbury Common and Ashford Common are reliant on the airport for their employment. But the airports have reached their limit. Alternatives must be found if there is to be any increase in UK airport capacity."

Hazel Watson, Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition and member for Dorking Hills said: "No increase in capacity at Gatwick is required to meet the country's needs and would lead to the loss of precious countryside and irreplaceable historic buildings."