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Harborough Magna and Easenhall A.C.C.

Newsletter 5

Anti Airport Protest in London - Saturday Nov 23rd.

The Stretton Anti Airport group petitioned ARAC re the above march, and agreed to pay for a coach to London.  The condition being that the protest was a National one and not just a 'Stop Stansted Expansion'. The Stretton group supports this on the basis that its theme is "Go and Think Again Mr Darling". 3,000 people are expected to attend and accompanied by a marching, band.  Main attendees will be Anti airport groups from; Stansted, 2 x Heathrow groups, Cliffe (probably RSPB support), Luton and now Rugby. The support for the above stems from a belief that such action puts pressure on Alistair Darling, and that it has a chance of National media coverage.

Harborough Magna & Easenhall Action Group (HM&E AG) do not support the march and our ARAC representative did not vote in its favour or use of any ARAC funds, for National ‘political’ issues.

Our view is that this march and the majority of marchers support an anti airport strategy of ‘no expansion here – think again’ for the South East – and clearly welcome all supporters.  The success of making the government think again may actually promote the case for a airport at Rugby, or delay the government in making a decision which will continue local house price blight.  The consultation document states that Rugby airport will only be considered if ‘first choice’ alternatives - expansion at Heathrow, Stansted & Birmingham, are dismissed.

HM & E AG support the view that any airport expansion should be via the development of existing airport facilities, and we cannot escape the truism that expansion at Heathrow, Stansted & Birmingham will provide the UK capacity for future airport needs and thus negate any requirement for a Rugby airport.

Ø       The last thing we need is to encourage “Mr Darling to think again”

Ø       We need him to make a decision, by the end of the white paper period April 2003.

Ø       How much support would we get from Stansted and Heathrow if the decision were to be made to build at Rugby?

Ø       HM &E AG believe we have to accept that airports will expand somewhere regardless of any actions such as those we have so far made.

Ø       To now start to fight the national battle is only going to extend the time-scales, and increase the chance of an airport at Rugby.

Ø       If once the decision has gone in our favour and others wish to support action against other airport development then that is up to the individual.

Ø       We have to win our own battle first and focus our full attention on that.

For villagers who agree with the Stretton point of view: -

Coaches will leave at 8.15am Arrive return 7.00pm from both the Benn Hall & Stretton on Dunsmore. Donations to funds of £5 per seat.  Booking; Benn Hall Coach – Tel: 01788 533807

 Useful addresses - Remember this is not the committees fight, it is everyone’s fight 

· Write a letter. Vote on the telephone or email
· Pop in the pub to look at our notice board and post your letter 
· Contact us (HM & E Airport Action Group) with concerns you may have. 

Committee members who can be contacted should you wish:

Key addresses to write to:

Copies of the consultation documents can be obtained by phoning 0845 100 5554 or by faxing 0870 122 6237.  If you have not got them we recommend you apply, these are free and you are entitled to five copies for wider circulation.   

Send mail to mark@harboroughmagna.org.uk with questions or comments about this web site.