The Government must signal unequivocal support for the expansion of Birmingham International Airport, including a second runway, West Midlands business leaders make clear today.
On the eve of an expected announcement by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling on UK aviation policy, Birmingham and Solihull Chamber of Commerce said BIAs enlargement was a vital factor in generating economic growth and jobs.
Mr Darling is due to publish a White Paper tomorrow setting out plans for airport development in the Midlands. He is faced with a choice of either approving construction of a new £7 billion airport near Rugby, which would mean the closure of BIA, or axing the Rugby scheme in favour of expanding BIA.
Mr Darling will also announce whether limited expansion of Wolverhampton Business Airport and Coventry Airport should take place.
Surveys by the Chamber of Commerce show overwhelming support for developing BIA as the regional airport for the Midlands with a high international standing.
Many companies warned that business would suffer if there was not an airport in the region giving easy access to global markets.
Jerry Blackett, policy director at the chamber, said firms supported runway development if it meant more economic and convenient flights to Europe and the US.
Even businesses directly on the flightpath in Solihull believe that expansion in some form is needed both for the development of their companies and safeguarding jobs in the area, he said.
The chamber supports BIAs alternative expansion plans of a wide spaced short runway, including an extension to the existing one. This would have the merits of not affecting as many residents in the vicinity of the flightpath and of being environmentally more friendly, Mr Blackett said.
Neil Pountney, president of Solihull Chamber, said: Our message has always been that development of the airport is of paramount importance to the future of business in Solihull.
At the same time we recognise that there is a need to take a balanced and clear approach to the way it is done. Development should be agreed through local negotiation between all the relevant parties.
Article
