KRAMER RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT NEW HEATHROW DEVELOPMENT PLANS

11.49.58am GMT Tue 15th Nov 2005

BAA's latest plans to develop existing Heathrow terminals raise further issues about the government's agenda for airport expansion.

Local MP Susan Kramer has questioned the motives behind the new announcement by BAA.

BAA last week revealed the early stages of a proposal, to demolish Terminal 2 and the Queens Building, the oldest parts of the airport, in order to build a new facility capable of handling 30 million people (the equivalent of Stanstead Airport).

Susan Kramer said:

"Our communities need to remain vigilant.

" BA says it's new terminal will not lead to more flights. This sounds like the kinds of promises we have heard before. Local people are already threatened with more flights, all day every day, Terminal 5 and Runway 3, how much more are we expected to take!

"BAA says these improvements are in preparation for the Olympics. Its time they told us the real plot behind this development.

" We cannot afford to drop our guard on any issue relating to Heathrow otherwise we will find that we have further expansion by the back door."