'It's just people trying to kick the airport': Councillors argue over air quality report into Luton Airport

At the council's executive committee, the recommendations of the Air Quality Task and Finish Group were presented by Liberal Democrat councillor Terry Keens.

The group, made up of councillors from all parties, identified key recommendations for improving air quality in the town.

Their report stated: “Some may require extra funding and investment, but the need to improve air quality within the area of the review is seen as essential.”

The group asked the local authority to find extra funding to deliver its conclusions, and called for an annual report on air quality impact from the airport.

Cllr Keens said: “I ask the executive don’t shelve this report, but look at it in detail.

“In the present climate, many of the recommendations could be achieved.

“It shows, when necessary, all political parties can work together efficiently.”

But Labour Challney councillor Tom Shaw told the executive committee that the council’s climate change working group is already considering several of the recommendations.

“I feel some of it is arrowed in the wrong direction,” he said.

“In some places I believe it’s just people trying to kick the airport. I’m not saying it’s been done on purpose.

“The Luton DART (direct air-rail transit) is completely ignored, and the airport has asked the council to look at park and ride already.

“We’ll note the report, but we’re not going to change our agenda on the climate change working group.

“It’s a Labour Party manifesto commitment and we’re not going to get sidetracked by little games here and there.

“The airport, in its defence, is working very hard alongside the climate change working group trying to get everything in place that we want.

“Let’s make sure it’s all done fairly and not just have a political kicking match over climate change,” he added.

“It’s too important an issue to the town.”

Labour Lewsey councillor Aslam Khan suggested “the through traffic probably causes more pollution than the airport” in the town.

Councillor Keens expressed disappointment at councillor Shaw’s attitude.

“This is not an anti-airport proposal,” he replied. “We do say it’s mainly traffic around the airport where the pollution problem is, not the airport.

“Our remit was to look at issues around the airport, not throughout the town.

“Events overtook us. Pollution levels are down, but they’ll go back up.”

Labour Lewsey councillor Hazel Simmons said: “I would like to thank the task and finish group for its work. It’s a full report in difficult circumstances.”

Liberal Democrat Barnfield councillor David Franks said: “A number of officers did put in a huge amount of work, during this exercise, and the University of Bedfordshire and schools got involved.

“It might be useful to include a formal thank you to those.”

The executive noted the report, agreeing four of its recommendations.