DfT

Government responds to Stern Review and Eddington

By Richard on 30/10/2007
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In a shocking move, the Government has called for an end to all new road building and runway expansion.

Responding to the Stern Review and Eddington Report, Secretary of State for Transport Ruth Kelly said "For too long we've been forced to pretend we can have sustainable transport growth - a policy that's lead to more driving, more flying, more emissions."

"Well those days are over. It's time for a radical rethink of aviation expansion. For the sake of the planet, we're hitting the emergency stop button."

Of course she didn't really say any of that - it's business as usual!

DfT / aviation industry meetings

By Richard on 27/09/2007
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A Freedom of Information request published in July 2007 reveals just how close BAA and the DfT have become over the years.

Between July 2002 and April 2007, BAA met with the DfT no less than 117 times, including 24 meetings with the Secretary of State and at least 33 meetings with the Head of Airports Policy, Jonathan Sharrock.

All in all, the DfT met with airlines and airport operators 342 times between 2002 and April 2007. Unfortunately the FOI request doesn't tell us how many times the environment came up - but I'm willing to bet it wasn't a top priority.

DfT announces: 62% of people don't fly abroad

By Richard on 31/08/2007
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DFT travel statistics

Contrary to claims from industry pundits, the majority of people didn't fly abroad last year.

The Department for Transport's National Travel Survey, which usually covers surface travel, included a new question on international flights. 21% of people had taken one (return) flight abroad, and 9% had made three or more flights.