January 2011: Local people and green campaigners reacted with disappointment today after a High Court judge refused to overturn Newham Council's decision to expand London City Airport. Campaigners are now considering an appeal.
Residents, represented by Friends of the Earth's Rights and Justice Centre, took the council to court in November last year after it decided to allow a 50 per cent increase in flights. The community representatives argued that Newham Council failed to consider changes to Government policy on climate change and did not properly consult boroughs and residents in the surrounding area.
Reacting to the decision, Chair of local campaign group Fight the Flights Anne- Marie Griffin said: "We are desperately disappointed by this judgement.
"London City Airport already causes major disturbance and pollution for people living locally - the disappointment we feel at this outcome will be shared by thousands of residents across East London who are severely affected by London City Airport's operations but were not consulted about expansion.
"Without clear guidelines to local councils on aviation expansion, the emissions targets set have no hope of being met.
"Fight the Flights is currently taking legal advice as to whether to appeal."
Friends of the Earth's London Campaigner Jenny Bates said: "Airport expansion will have a terrible impact on local people's quality of life, as well as increase air pollution breaches and undermine efforts to tackle climate change.
"Many of the destinations served by London City Airport could easily be reached by fast rail travel.
"If this Government wants to keep its pledge to be the greenest ever it must develop a transport strategy which encourages people to use greener forms of transport over climate-wrecking flights."
Source: Friend of the Earth
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