Backing for Bristol airport extension from GWE (From Wiltshire Business Online)

Backing for Bristol airport extension from GWE

1:30pm Thursday 25th February 2010

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Fresh backing for plans to extend Bristol International Airport has come from the area’s leading business organisation.

GWE Business West, which represents more than 2,000 businesses across the West of England, has consistently supported the scheme, which could eventually see as many as 10 million passengers per year using the airport in the next decade.

But now, in the light of significant changes to the original proposals, it has renewed calls for the plans to be approved when North Somerset Councillors meet to consider the issue early next month (March).

Director of Chambers of Commerce, Nigel Hutchings, stressed that connectivity is a vital important ingredient in economic growth so if this area is to play its part as a big player in the global economy as the country pulls out of recession, then it is crucial to have an efficient and effective airport.

“We know that many of our members are passionate supporters of the green agenda and some have doubts about the concept of expanding the airport. However, by far the majority believe that the current projected growth for Bristol International is sustainable and can be achieved without detriment to the environment. That view was supported by the recent report from the Committee on Climate Change which concluded that airport capacity could grow by 60 per cent nationally while still enabling emissions from aviation to return to 2005 levels by 2050.

“We have also been impressed with the way the airport has consulted with people, listened to what they had to say and then made changes to their original proposals. In particular increasing funding for local transport schemes and lowering the number of night flights will greatly mitigate the effects of the expansion in passenger numbers,” he said.

Bristol International Airport say they will increase their contribution to the Bus Rapid Transit scheme and the South Bristol Link from £3 million to £5.4 million. Meanwhile they will also contribute up to £100,000 a year towards the cost of operating an enhanced public transport service to Weston-super-Mare. In addition they have offered to reduce the cap on night aircraft movements put forward in the original planning application from 4,500 to 4,000.

“Our job is to represent the voice of business, which naturally means making the case for growth but at the same time we are conscious of our responsibility in achieving prosperity for everyone in a sustainable way. We believe these plans will meet both those demands and we sincerely hope the councillors of North Somerset approve the application,” added Mr Hutchings.

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