Representation by Andrew Toogood
- Date submitted
- 22 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
There are many issues the proposed expansion raise, however I have listed some below: - 1. There is no hard evidence given as to any benefits of the expansion, in particular how this expansion will be funded bearing in mind the current debt Luton Rising has or how it intends to mitigate the debt. 2. In November 2022, the UK hosted an event (COP26) which many believe to be the world's best last chance to get runaway climate change under control. How can this 80% increase in aircraft movements go ahead. The UK as President of COP26 along with the other nations agreed the next 10 years will be critical. The expansion of the airport covers that 10 year period and slightly beyond, again COP26 agreed emissions must be reduced not increased. 3. There are many challenges facing the production of alternate aviation fuels, including LNG, Hydrogen, Ammonia and electric, however there is currently little evidence that we are any where close to meeting current requirements leave alone the predicted growth of aviation over the next ten years. 4. Luton Rising has made it very difficult for local residents to submit their comments based on so little meaningful information and lack of answers to questions raised, This relates to how Luton Rising has conducted emission and noise measurement and where that monitoring equipment was place. In addition many residents of Slip End, including my Wife and me, did not receive notification of the planned expansion through the post. 5.There has been little information in regards to traffic & transportation management. The villages around the airport in particular Slip End will see significant growth in cars parking in narrow streets to avoid paying the airparks fees. There is little parking available to residents as it is. The movement of vehicles already causes raised emissions and noise. The airport buses used to ferry passengers from the airport to car parking in Slip End and return are too big to safely negotiate the narrow roads, these buses have head height mirrors which overhang the pavements. 6.Noise and vibration from aircraft departing Luton is already a nuisance to residents with levels at 18million passengers per annum, any number higher would be unacceptable. Air quality in Slip End is an unknown quantity as Luton Rising has not carried out monitoring locally.