Categories
News

Green MSP joins communities on Edinburgh Airport flight plan battle

Communities affected by Edinburgh Airport’s flight plan proposals must rally together to make the airport listen to their concerns, a Green MSP will say at a summit meeting tonight (20 April).

Green MSP Mark Ruskell is hosting the Edinburgh Airport Watch meeting at the Scottish Parliament where 17 community councils from Fife, Edinburgh, the Lothians and Falkirk are expected to attend.

One of Ruskell’s main concerns is that in spite of the consultation closing in a few weeks (7 May), communities are still none the wiser as to “what the final routes will look like”. [2]

Mid Scotland Fife MSP Mark Ruskell said:

“Since the first consultation began last summer I’ve had a steady stream of constituents contact me regarding Edinburgh Airport’s plans, and we’re still no closer to knowing what the final routes will look like or how local residents will be affected. I’ve been hearing repeatedly that the public find the consultation documents confusing and full of jargon, and that representatives from the airport have not be forthcoming with information at local public meetings.

“I’m yet to see clear data on flights in and out of Edinburgh that demonstrates the need for such a radical increase in the available flight space above the airport. It seems this is an opportunistic move to cash in on support for the aviation industry from the current Scottish Government and it is one for which local communities around the airport will pay heavily.

“Tonight’s meeting in Holyrood will give community councils from across the affected areas the chance to share their concerns and discuss how they can support each other to make their collective voice heard in this process. The airport has promised to take on board feedback from communities and to build it into their final decision. I look forward to seeing how they will respond.”