AIRPORT DEBATE TAKES OFF

29-03-2008

Solihull MP Lorely Burt and Birmingham Airport boss John Morris have both signed up for a public debate on Monday night about the planned runway extension at BIA – and Stirrer readers are invited to go along and make their views known.

As we reported in January, airport bosses argue that the development is needed to attract more long haul flights from the West Midlands (see link here).

Environmental campaigners responded by launching a Flyagra website, which we described as a “sober critique of the case" for expansion. (see link here).

What the debate has lacked so far is a good public airing, but Friends of the Earth have stepped into the breach and have pulled together a fine panel of talking heads including:

Lorely Burt MP (Lib Dem, Solihull) who’s bypassing a two-line whip in parliament.

Birmingham Airport 'main man', John Morris

FoE’s Chris Crean, never short of a quote

John Stewart, one of the most articulate and prolific anti-expansion campaigners in the country

Local newspaper editor Ross Crawford will be trying to keep it all in order.

The event’s being held at the John Palmer Hall, 741 Warwick Road, Solihull, B91 – opposite Beatties - and starts at 7pm through to 8.45pm.