The expansion of Southampton Airport will be detrimental to the quality of life for large numbers of people in Southampton. We cannot believe the claims made by the aviation industry that aircraft will become significantly quieter or more fuel efficient, as there is no technological breakthrough currently on the horizon.

Figures available from DEFRA reveal that the UK has the highest figures for air passengers and carbon dioxide emissions from aviation for any country in Europe. In this light, it is impossible to accept the argument that the forecast growth is essential to our economic survival. The Stern Report on Climate Change provides the Government with the political opportunity to replace short-haul flights with high-speed rail travel - with less than a tenth of the carbon emissions per passenger-km.

Chris Bluemel, AXE (Against eXpansion at Eastleigh.