Airport chiefs agree runway extension by 2014
BIRMINGHAM Airport chiefs have agreed to press ahead with multi-million pound plans to extend the facility’s runway by 2014.
At a board meeting yesterday, executives said the long-awaited scheme would move to the next stage.
In a statement following the meeting, the airport said: “The Airport Company agreed to progress with the next stage of the runway extension project.
“Later this year tenders will be invited for the works. Once acceptable bids have been received major construction work on the runway extension is expected to start in 2012 with completion by the end of 2014.”
The decision follows the Government’s announcement last week that it was prepared to allocate £15.7m from the Regional Growth Fund towards the cost of diverting the A45 away from the airport perimeter to enable the 400 metre runway extension to go ahead.
The RGF funding, together with a £17m contribution from the airport and transport authority Centro will fund the road improvements but where the estimated £33m required to complete the runway extension will come from is still unclear.
The airport’s private sector shareholders, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Victorian Funds Management, together with various local authorities in the region, are thought to be keen to see the development go ahead because of the improved status it will bestow on the airport. It is likely the funding will be piecemeal, enabling the work to be completed in stages.
The runway extension will allow wide-bodied airliners to take off and land, putting direct flights to China and the West Coast of the United States within reach of Birmingham commuters and businesses.
Combined with better rail links – should the HS2 scheme be approved – the airport will also be better positioned to relieve capacity over Heathrow and the south east.
The airport has already said improvements to the existing West Coast Main Line are necessary, while HS2 will place the airport within easy reach of Heathrow passengers – a prospect more attractive following the Government’s decision to axe Heathrow’s third runway.
The RGF money will also fund improvements to Junction 6 of the M42.
The masterplan now makes more sense following the announcement by the Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP that the M42 corridor will eventually form part of a so-called Enterprise Belt channelling investment and job creation opportunities into the area.
Key to the success of the strategy is a transport plan that will enable the swift movement of goods and people through the region, with the airport forming an essential hub.
