Bristol airport expansion plans unveiled

[January 23rd 2009]

Bristol International Airport aims to handle 10 million passengers a year and create 4,000 new jobs.

Following a consultation period over the next six weeks, Bristol airport will submit a planning application to North Somerset Council to expand the airport. The proposals include extending the terminal building, providing more airport car parking, and creating new aircraft stands.

Exhibitions outlining the airport expansion plans are taking place from now until March 6th in Bristol airport’s administration building. Feedback forms are available enabling people to have their say about the development of the airport.

An extra five to six flights per hour between 6am and 11pm would be generated by the forecast increase in the number of passengers at Bristol. The airport says the noise impact would be carefully managed and controlled by encouraging airlines to operate quieter aircraft and imposing penalties on airlines which exceed agreed limits.

The proposed development would take place within existing operational areas at the airport, with the exception of a small area to the south which would be used for additional airport car parking.

The expansion plans are also designed to encourage greater use of public transport to travel to the airport. Bristol airport wants to create a new public transport interchange on top of a new multi-storey car park at the airport which would be linked directly to the terminal by a covered pedestrian footbridge.

“This development will enable the airport to meet the growing demand for air travel to and from the South West. The new facilities will make the airport better for our passengers, allowing us to improve the service and range of flights available to local business and leisure travellers. It will also help us attract tourists directly into the region, supporting the local economy,” says Bristol International Airport chief executive officer, Robert Sinclair.

“Airports remain vital to economic prosperity and quality of life in the regions they serve. Environmental effects need to be balanced against these benefits – that’s why we have carefully assessed the impacts of our proposals and brought forward a range of mitigation measures to be considered along with our development proposals. We look forward to discussing these plans with local people and working with them to find a sustainable solution,” Sinclair concludes.

Written by: Nick Purdom

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