Opinion divided on second runway

10.10.00am GMT Tue 6th Dec 2005

There has been a massive response to Lorely Burt MP's online opinion poll on the proposed second runway at Birmingham Airport. Hundreds of residents cast their votes in a split decision on the proposal.

"This poll is indicative of public opinion", says Lorely. "Many constituents have contacted me about this issue and opinion is divided". However, I am not convinced that a second runway is necessary, especially when existing capacity is not fully utilised", she added.

The Liberal Democrats believe that any expansion to the airport should take place within existing boundaries. "I would support an extension to the existing runway", says Mrs Burt. "I believe this would be beneficial to the local economy and the environmental impacts would be less severe".

Lorely added, "If the Government gets its way with the second runway plans, we stand to lose a substantial amount of Green Belt land, our roads will be grid locked and what legacy will we be leaving for future generations"?

Opinion Poll Results:

Against second runway 50.0%

For the second runway 49.5%

Don't know 0.5%