Sir

I read with dismay Mr Paul Deering's report on reasons for us to be optimistic this year in last week's Champion. His assertion that the expansion of Sligo Airport is in everyone's interest is completely untrue.

The proposed absolute destruction of a protected area, an area of huge environmental importance, not to mention of great beauty is most definitely not "in everyone's interest".

It is not in the interest of the hundreds of people who walk this beach and around the headland each week, those who use this area for recreational purposes, swimming, horseriding, birdwatching and boat moorings. It is not in the interest of the sustainable shellfish industry operating on this strand, nor is in the interest of those people living and holidaying on Coney Island.

It is not in the interest of the taxpayers who are currently subsidising the airport. It is not in the interests of the residents of Strandhill who will be subjected to hundreds of trucks travelling through their village carrying tonnes of stone and infill to the site for at least 12 months.

The proposed extension onto Dorrin's Strand will not allow the airport to cater for larger aircraft. The Airport currently operates in complete safety under a restricted load of 64 passengers per plane instead of 70.

The airport fails to make any case that justifies the destruction of this protected area. The total subsidy per passenger currently equates to Euo125 per trip or in the case of round trip Euro 250. Those who are opposed to this development are not "anti airport".

We are opposed to the complete destruction of an area that brings great joy to local residents and visitors to our county. It is our duty as citizens and taxpayers of this country to protect our environment and natural landscape and to ensure that it is there to be enjoyed by many generations to come. Sligo deserves it.

- Helen McCauley Old Airport Road Strandhill Co. Sligo