Airport 'playing politics' claim

An airport at Cliffe is one option the government has suggested

An aviation group has accused green campaigners of 'playing politics' over plans to build a new airport at Cliffe.

Freedom to Fly, which represents companies such as BAA and Virgin Airways, claims environmental campaigners want Cliffe to remain a viable option as a tactic to delay the consultation process.

Building an airport on the Hoo Peninsula at Cliffe and expanding other airports are proposals in a government consultation about the future of aviation and airport services over the next 30 years.

Freedom to Fly offered last week to write to Transport Minister Alistair Darling dropping its support for Cliffe - if green campaigners promised in return not to oppose the expansion of Heathrow and Gatwick.

'Disregarding residents'

Dan Hodges, director of Freedom to Fly, said: "These are the large national environmental groups and they are playing politics with this issue and completely disregarding the views and wishes of local residents.

"It's quite clear that the residents of Cliffe want the option to be removed from the consultation.

"The industry has said it is prepared to write to Alistair Darling, recommending that it be removed from the consultation.

"The only people that want to see it re-included or remain as part of the consultation are the environmentalists for their own reasons."

'Make mischief'

The claim has been rejected by Airport Watch, a group set up by anti-airport protesters including Friends of the Earth.

The group's chairman John Stewart said: "Dan Hodges knows the environmental groups cannot put Cliffe back on the agenda as he says.

"The government has got Cliffe on the agenda and it cannot take Cliffe off until the end of the consultation period.

"Otherwise, as Dan Hodges knows perfectly well, the consultation will need to be re-run."

He said the claims were just an attempt by Freedom to Fly to "make mischief".