Liberal Democrats Launch Environment Plans and Cite Eastleigh as a Pioneer

11.58.26am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 23rd Mar 2005

Liberal Democrats Launch Environment Plans and Cite Eastleigh as a Pioneer

A Liberal Democrat government would mean less pollution, less waste, a higher priority for public transport and more help for cyclists and pedestrians, says Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Eastleigh.

Welcoming the publication of the Liberal Democrat Manifesto for the Environment, Chris Huhne said that Eastleigh had become a pioneer for other local authorities to follow with one of the highest waste recycling rates in the country. He said:

"Here in Eastleigh we practice what we preach. Liberal Democrats believe that there should be a green backbone running right through Government. We need to start with firm action to tackle climate change, cut traffic congestion and give proper support to alternative fuel sources.

"Since Labour same to power in 1997, total municipal waste has gone up by nearly a fifth, we are still bottom of the European recycling league, and our streets are littered with more abandoned cars then ever before. The number of conservation sites in a good condition has declined.

"Liberal Democrats would get tough on polluters, with a new specialist Environmental Court to deal with enforcing environmental rules. We will ensure the level of penalties which polluters have to pay are appropriate to the offence - at present they are often trivial compared to the profits from environmental crime.

"This contrasts with the Conservatives, whose policy is to slash funding for the Environment Agency, which has wide-ranging responsibilities for nature conservation and preventing pollution, and who oppose the legislation currently going through Parliament to crack down on fly-tippers, fly-posters and other kinds of environmentally damaging activity.

"We will tackle unnecessary waste, with a long-term goal of zero municipal waste, through waste minimisation, reuse and recycling. As a first step, we will ensure that within seven years 60% of all household waste is recycled, which is another half again more than we are doing in Eastleigh, and we are one of the best councils in the land.

"The key will be investing in biomass plants - essentially large municipal composting facilities - so that we can reuse much of the organic material that is currently thrown out" said Mr Huhne.

"We will build the environment into the planning system and bring in a range of measures to make homes more energy efficient, bringing heating bills down as well as reducing pollution and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

"Thousands of people die each year from preventable cold-related illnesses - mostly pensioners. Poor home insulation and poor quality housing are among the main causes. We will allow the Pensioners' Winter Fuel Payment to be taken in the form of energy saving materials. A pensioner could save more than £100 by investing just one year's Winter Fuel Payment, and help the environment as well."

"We will encourage walking and cycling. Children walking to school get fit for life - but it must be safe. Fewer school-run car journeys also mean less pollution, less congestion and fewer road deaths. Liberal Democrats will promote Safe Routes to School with calmed traffic, safe pavements, good lighting and grown-ups on hand to conduct "walking buses". We will provide more cycle routes and reform planning rules to make sure key services are more easily accessible by foot or bicycle.

"These proposals would protect and improve the environment - helping our pockets, our families, our communities and our world. A greener Britain means a better environment, and a better life for all."