RSPB Reserve another reason why Lydd Airport expansion should be blocked: Matthews

4.32.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 25th Jul 2008

Samantha Dawes (RSPB South East region), Lib Dem District Council Leader Lynne Beaumont, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman Neil Matthews and RSPB South East Communications Manager Paul Outhwaite at the RSPB Dungeness Reserve.

Folkestone & Hythe's Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman Neil Matthews visited the RSPB reserve at Dungeness today with Lib Dem District Council Group Leader Lynne Beaumont.

Neil and Lynne were shown around by an RSPB South East team of Paul Outhwaite, Samantha Dawes and site manager Bob Gomes. The tour included explanations of the work of the RSPB and how the proposed expansion of Lydd Airport, if it were to go ahead, would be detrimental to the area.

After the visit, Neil restated his objection to the expansion of Lydd Airport. He said:

"There are many reasons why the expansion of the airport should not go ahead and the protection of this special site is just one of them. The airport's management has not attempted to explain how they intend to manage bird strike within the environs of the airport.

"At a meeting at Hythe Town Council a Lydd Airport manager gave the impression the birds would just fly away - how bizarre."

Neil also thanked Paul, Samantha and Bob for their time in showing him around the reserve. Neil said:

"I'm really pleased to have had the opportunity to look around the reserve. Thank you to the RSPB team of Paul, Samantha and Bob for their hospitality and for taking the time to talk to us about the reserve and the RSPB's important work here in Dungeness."

Related Link:

RSPB Dungeness Reserve