MARTIN HORWOOD, Cheltenham’s MP since 2005 and Lib Dem parliamentary candidate, has called for urgent action to rescue Britons stranded by the effects of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic ash cloud. The Icelandic volcano started emitting large volumes of ash into the atmosphere last Thursday but Cheltenham constituents as far afield as Singapore are still stranded with no obvious plan by the travel industry or the government to get them home.
“This is a good object lesson in the power of nature” said Martin. “Volcanoes don’t conveniently stop erupting after a few days so that we can resume normal business. But we have to adapt and realise that people’s businesses and incomes, their schooling and sometimes their medical treatments are being put at risk by this situation. Government needs to co-ordinate fast with travel operators and airlines to at least get long-haul travellers back to Europe from where it might be possible to arrange rail or sea travel home. If necessary we should be bringing coastguards, naval and private shipping into play to help.”
“The wider issue is how dependent we have become on air travel. I’m struck by the ability of the EU transport ministers to have their summit by video conference. Perhaps they should do it that way every time and save us all a lot of money. The carbon footprint of a holidaymaker flying once or twice a year is tiny in comparison to the pollution caused by politicians and other frequent flyers. Perhaps the volcanic ash crisis will encourage them to think about how differently we could carry out our business.”
ENDS
Government needs to act now to help stranded Britons
- Monday 19th of April 2010 11:31
Martin Horwood is your
Liberal Democrat
Member of Parliament for Cheltenham
working for a fairer,
greener, safer community
Member of Parliament for Cheltenham
working for a fairer,
greener, safer community