Travel from Moray: 300 write in to oppose any expansion of Inverness Airport
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Almost 300 people have backed a move to oppose the mooted expansion of Inverness Airport.
Highland and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL), which owns the airport, has drawn up plans to either build an entirely new terminal or enlarge the present one.
HIAL ran an online consultation last month asking the public's views.
In reply, 297 people signed a collective response issued by the Scottish Greens.
This response argues that the proposals would raise noise pollution, inconvenience local people and contradict the Scottish Government’s obligations to cut carbon emissions.
Ariane Burgess is the Scottish Green's lead candidate for the Highlands and Islands at the Holyrood elections in May.
She said: "We are very glad that so many people signed-up to our campaign and sent in their responses.
"It is vital that local voices are central to the consultation, and that they are listened to.
"The proposal itself would be bad for the environment and our communities.
"Inverness Airport is perfectly adequate for providing the necessary life-line services that people rely on across the Highlands and Islands.
"The money could be far better used on improving rail and bus links across the region.
"The years ahead will be crucial in shaping how we respond to the Climate Emergency, not just in Scotland but around the world.
"The decisions that we make today will have an impact for years to come.
"That is why we have to ensure that people and the planet are at the heart of everything we do."
HIAL predicts a doubling of passenger numbers at Inverness over the course of the next two decades as well as a 50 per cent rise in flight numbers.
A total of 800,000 people used the airport in 2018.
Despite the pandemic, HIAL believes that number will rise to 1.8million by 2045.
The public consultation on the airport expansion plans closed on February 28.
A HIAL spokesperson said that no overall number was available yet regarding how many members of the public had responded in support of the proposals.
The spokesperson added: "All feedback has been forwarded to the project management partners who will consider and evaluate as part of the consultation process."
The Scottish Greens have now launched an open-letter to Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, which residents opposed to the airport's expansion can sign here
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