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Protest against Bristol Airport expansion plans
Environmental campaigners and activists marched through the streets on Friday to protest the proposed expansion of Bristol Airport.
The rally, organised by Bristol Airport Action Network (BAAN) and promoted by Extinction Rebellion (XR), was designed to ensure those who oppose the plans to increase the airport capacity to 12million passengers a year make their voices heard “loud and clear”.
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A spokesperson for BAAN addressed the crowd congregated on College Green at midday on Friday, January 31, saying: “We stand here today and say no, this is not fine. Business as usual by one of the largest investment funds in the world is threatening our survival. We have to imagine a world with clean air.”
The march went from College Green and on to Cabot Circus, causing some traffic disruption. Performance activists, the Red Rebel Brigade, also joined the protest.
The Red Rebel Brigade marches through College Green. Photo by Serafina Lee
Bristol Airport’s planning application will be voted on by the North Somerset Council’s planning committee on February 10.
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Read more: Bristol Airport expansion likely to get green light
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The plan proposes an increased capacity from 8.6 to 12 million passengers by 2026, with new infrastructure such as a multi-storey car park. The plan currently has 5648 objections and has received significant controversy over concerns about the environmental impact. 2,252 people have supported the plans.
The firm says its expansion will benefit the West of England’s economy to the tune of £210m. North Somerset Council’s consultants were more conservative, putting the figure between £110m and £167m.
Isabella Harding, an Extinction Rebellion campaigner told Bristol24/7: “It’s madness to expand the airport. We have to cut CO2.”
Bristol City Council was the first council to declare a climate emergency in the country, setting a goal of carbon neutrality by 2030, and many protesters are concerned about the viability of this target and the environmental impacts upon the local area if the plans go ahead.
Extinction Rebellion protesters march through Bristol. Photo by Serafina Lee
A woman in a pink dress protests against Bristol Airport expansion. Photo by Serafina Lee
“No such thing as a zero carbon airport”. Photo by Serafina Lee
XR protesters in College Green. Photo by Serafina Lee
Main photo by Serafina Lee
Read more: ‘Dear Marvin, please use your power to stop the expansion of Bristol Airport’
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