MORE should be done to improve public transport for passengers at Bournemouth Airport, according to campaigners.

AirportWatch South West say draft proposals for the regional spatial strategy for the south west are based on the government's 2003 Air Transport White Paper, which assumes that oil prices would be just 53 dollars a barrel in 2030, allowing for cheap flights.

They say it concentrates too much on expansion when it should be looking at other ways to invest.

Susan Chapman of AirportWatch and East Dorset Friends of the Earth said the airport depended on most passengers arriving by car.

"With the new car parking extension and new southern car park there will be yet more traffic on already congested roads and increased damage to the climate. The airport does not need a single extra parking space - it needs better public transport for passengers."

She urged people to express their views on the Bournemouth Climate Change Community Action Plan and the draft RSS.

A Bournemouth Airport spokeswoman disputed the criticisms. She said: "We are developing the airport in a sustainable way, striking a careful balance between economic, social and environmen-tal considerations. We have already introduced improved bus links and will continue to do so.

"The airport's development will reduce the need for passengers to travel to and from the London airports with all the associated environmental impact that those journeys currently have.

"Apart from the employment created, 15 percent of our passengers are visitors bringing around £10m into the region annually, growing to £57m by the year 2015."

Douglas Eyre, chairman of Bournemouth 2026, said: "If we are going to ensure there is a vibrant economy moving forward at the moment, air travel is very much part of that need.

"We have to look at the right balance between job creation opportunities for young people and the other environment changes going on around us."

Climate change consultation has been extended until September 9. It's at bournemouth.gov.uk/ climatechange