NEWQUAY AIRPORT - PUBLIC MEETING

10.00.00am GMT Sun 13th Jan 2008

Stephen Gilbert, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for St Austell & Newquay, attended a public meeting at St Mawgan (on Saturday 12th January) organised by environmental groups Groundswell, Greenpeace and Plane Stupid, to debate Cornwall County Council's plans to expand the airport.

Stephen said: "At the moment Newquay airport is the fastest growing airport in the country, and, in my view, is a lifeline for the economy of Cornwall. With passenger numbers this year expected to be over 550,000, its success brings new challenges and puts pressure on the existing facilities. As the environmental groups point out this must be set in the uncertain context of rising fuel prices and climate change.

"Judging from the number of people at a public meeting on a Saturday night, there is an appetite for more information on the plans for the airport and it was very disappointing that nobody from Cornwall County Council was able to attend."