Councillors need to take a risk in opposing airport expansion - YEP Letters

I was pleased to see that in this article Dr Anthony Whiteing of the University of Leeds recognises the economic realities concerning the expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport (YEP, December 28).

There is very little business traffic through the airport, with the vast majority of the flyers going on package holidays or other European breaks, taking money out of the local economy in doing so.

It was sad to hear of the difficult choice that our elected councillors face; that if they say no to the airport on the basis that it will not bring significant economic benefit, will pollute the air and disturb the sleep of thousands of local residents and will make it impossible for Leeds to meet its target reductions in greenhouse gases, then their decision may be overruled by government ministers.

I hope our councillors are prepared to take the risk of opposing the expansion, as the risk posed to our local communities by catastrophic climate change is too great to be ignored.