UTTLESFORD MP Sir Alan Haselhurst has vowed that the Conservative party will keep their promises to ditch any plans to expand Stansted Airport. In a statement made today (Monday February 22) he said that the conservative party will not approve the constr

UTTLESFORD MP Sir Alan Haselhurst has vowed that the Conservative party will keep their promises to ditch any plans to expand Stansted Airport.

In a statement made today (Monday February 22) he said that the conservative party "will not approve the construction of a second runway."

However, airport owner BAA is still committed to building the new runway, and an extra terminal, to keep up with forecasted growth demands in air travel.

A public inquiry into the plans had been due to start last year, but was delayed to resolve ownership issues after BAA were told to sell three of its airports including Stansted amid fears of a monopoly.

Sir Alan said: "Business at the airport remains depressed but that does not alter the fact that the current owners have permission to use the existing runway to its full capacity - this could mean a doubling of passenger throughput.

"On the one hand this can be seen as a cross to bear by those communities most adjacent to flight paths. On the other, those who rely on the airport for jobs can be reassured."

He added: "It cannot be said loudly and clearly enough that a Conservative Government will not approve the construction of a second runway.

"With all respect to any other parties that might share this policy the outcome of a General Election will be either Labour or the Conservatives in the majority.

"Will David Cameron keep his promise? Yes, because his passion to protect the environment leads him to believe that the growth of aviation has to be constrained."

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