Luton Airport Expansion plans have been slammed by Liberal Democrats parliamentary candidate Sam Collins.

Hitchin councillor Collins has warned residents not to be hoodwinked into believing the revised proposal for the extension of Luton Airport will bring significant change.

The Liberal Democrats will continue to oppose plans to expand the airport, which would see passenger numbers almost double from 18 million to 32 million by 2039.

Plans for the airport have been reviewed and amended in an attempt to manage and mitigate environmental issues.

Sam Collins said "This is a smoke screen, as introducing a more comprehensive green strategy and aspiring to carbon net zero targets does not make this development any more attractive. Local residents do not want more planes flying over their homes and more traffic on our roads.

"It's incomprehensible that Luton Council want to press ahead with this development when we should be taking action to save our planet, not help destroy it."

Luton Rising, whose sole shareholder is Luton Borough council, will launch their third public consultation on the expansion from 8 February until April 4, before the plans are submitted to the Department of Transport for approval.

Liberal Democrats are calling on people in Hitchin, Harpenden and the surrounding villages to oppose the development. The plans include a second terminal with capacity to park 34 additional planes, including larger jets.

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Mr Collins said: "This is such an important issue for our area that we cannot allow Luton Rising to get these proposals through.

"These plans will be a disaster for local residents as it will result in so many more polluting aircraft flying over our homes, and the transport plans will simply pile traffic into nearby areas like Hitchin, Harpenden and Redbourn."

The Hitchin and Harpenden Liberal Democrats have led objections to the expansion with a motion at Herts County Council, tabled by Cllr Steve Jarvis and Cllr John Hale, which was passed in 2019. The joint Lib Dem/Labour North Herts District Council has also formally opposed the plans.

Hitchin and Harpenden Liberal Democrats have launched a petition to STOP LUTON AIPORT EXPANSION at https://www.hitchinharpendenlibdems.org/stop_luton_airport_expansion