Date Posted:10:23:57 06/17/03 Tue Author:Joe Marshall Subject: Response to Neil and update on SANER
I read Neil's latest missive with some amusement and amazement. Does he really consider that those frequenting the Village Inn, Killay, do not have children or grandchildren? Could it be that Ken and Christine Jenkins are secretly slipping something into the beer?!
SANER does not claim that a majority of people support the airport development. Rather, it seeks to test SANE's statements that "Most people consulted in the affected areas oppose any further expansion in flights over the (sic) Gower"; and "The public says NO to airport madness" (SANE webpage). The first statement may be correct - it depends on who they consulted! Were the 200 people who attended their series of meetings 200 DIFFERENT people, or perhaps the same ones attending several meetings? Were these all held in Gower/Swansea west? Isn't the WHOLE of Swansea and district an "affected area", entitled to have its say? Neil might like to look at the still-growing number of emails supporting SANER (item by Don Lilley, 13 June) (then again, maybe he might not!). The article from Alun Richards (17th June) also provides a very interesting counterpoint to SANE's assertions.
The SANE website and related links show an underlying opposition to commercial aviation in general, with a remit to collect and promote all available documentation opposing it. This was confirmed during the recent phone-in on Swansea Sound - a significant fraction of the time was spent discussing this, rather than the specific issue of commercial flights from Swansea Airport. If such flights vanish from Fairwood - and they WILL if SANE is successful in resisting ALL attempts to improve the facilities - the air traffic will not disappear, just go somewhere else.
The implication that signatories of the SANER petition have no interest in environmental issues is rubbish. For example, I have spent much of my career developing materials for solar energy cells and sustainable energy systems. I also suspect that I was also the only person involved in the phone-in, including the SANE representative, who does not own a car - preferring to use public transport. Just because people do not share SANE's extremist views it doesn't mean that they are environmental philistines.
I do agree with Neil in one respect. I would also like to see the airport's long term business plan, etc. Until this happens, however, SANE should stop claiming that it represents public opinion, and also (e.g.) remove the fake picture of a jumbo jet blasting fumes across a Gower beach from its web site!
Finally, the number of signatories of the SANER petition has passed 600 in just ten days. Further copies of the petition can be obtained from me by email (joe.marshall@killay9.freeserve.co.uk) or from the Village Inn, Killay Square.
Response to Neil and update on SANER