20th September 2002

Stop Stansted Expansion schools project

The Stop Stansted Expansion group is asking all schools in the region to create activities for their pupils connected with the enormous changes that would take place in their area if the Government’s proposals for Stansted Airport were to be carried through.

These activities might include an original piece of writing about their appreciation of their current way of life; a drawing or painting of their existing environment and what it would be like if the four runway proposal is implemented; writing a letter to the Prime Minister and the Secretary for Transport, Alistair Darling.

The project is being launched by Mrs Roshan Banatvala, who lives in Henham and has taught in the area since 1965. According to Mrs Banatvala “A consistent feature from all studies conducted world wide is that children who live or are at school near large airports experience delayed speech and learning. The Government recently significantly increased funding for health and education, so why deny the benefits of this initiative to thousands of children in this part of East Anglia? While BAA’s first priority is to its shareholders, the Government’s should be to our children.”

She added “Our future lies in our children and I believe their views should create a significant impact. However, in order to achieve this, a major response is required. We need together to inundate the decision makers with the concerns of our children and their families.”

The Stop Stansted Expansion campaign is first contacting the 60 maintained primary schools which would fall inside the “intolerable” noise zone and the 117 which would fall in the “intrusive” noise zone. The campaign group will follow this up by contacting secondary schools and those in the independent sector.

Campaigning to ensure Stansted Airport's authorised operations stay below harmful limits