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The Future Development
of Air Transport in the UK South East
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Thames Valley Group of Chambers' Response
Introduction
The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce represents 3000 companies employing over 150,000 people in the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. We operate through eight local Chambers of Commerce in key towns across the Thames Valley.
Our Members have welcomed the SERAS report and the opportunity to consider proposals for dealing with the forecast growth in air travel in the South East to 301 million passengers per annum in 2030, more than doubling the existing numbers.
The Department for Transport has set itself an enormously brave and difficult task and we hope that our response on behalf of businesses across the Thames Valley will be helpful.
There are several key points that we would like to emphasise
1. If the growth in travel by air is to continue without restraint, then it is our view that much of that growth must be taken up by using existing airports in the South East more efficiently and effectively. We support the Stansted and Heathrow options, and believe that further development of Gatwick should be considered.
2. The exclusion of further development at Heathrow Airport, as recommended by the Regional Assembly would be a mistake. The response from SEERA reflects only a Local Authority perspective and we are not aware of any consultation between these Authorities and their local businesses.
3. Businesses in the Thames Valley, when questioned on why they settled here, indicated that proximity to Heathrow Airport, was fundamental to their decision. It, therefore, must be a concern that a failure to allow Heathrow to maximise its market position will put the economy of the Thames Valley at risk.
4. We do not believe that a case for a new Airport at Cliffe has been made.
The cost of the infrastructure required would be prohibitive and concerns have been raised over air space conflicts with Heathrow and also a threat to wildlife in that area. In our view SERAS has not given sufficient consideration to the air safety concerns associated with Cliffe
The Thames Valley Economy
The Thames Valley is the key driver, next to London, of the UK economy. It has become the leading European region in communication and IT sectors, and Heathrow Airport has played a pivotal role in the success of this economic development
European Competition
The number of destinations served by Heathrow has fallen from 227 in 1989 to 189 in 2000, because of capacity constraints. Charles de Gaulle in Paris, and Frankfurt airports both now serve more destinations than Heathrow. It is vital to the ongoing success of the Thames Valley, and to the South East region as a whole, that Heathrow is allowed to compete with the other European airports like Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt and Schiphol
Access Infrastructure
All future airport development in the South East region must be accompanied by the necessary investment in public transport.
For Heathrow Airport this will require commitment to: -
· Improved rail links from Reading to Paddington, with development work at Reading Station to include rail passenger services to Heathrow.
· The Airtrack Project -to include a Staines to Heathrow rail link, with a further Western Rail Link Connection - from Heathrow to Iver, connecting with the GWR main line to the west.
· The Crossrail Project - extending the proposed Crossrail service to Reading, using an expanded main line to accommodate additional train movements.
· All necessary motorway and trunk road improvements.
Other South East airports
We welcome the study on the supporting role other smaller airports in the South East might play, but believe that priority consideration must first be given to increasing the potential of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports.
Managing the impact of airport growth
The long delay in getting approval for Terminal 5 at Heathrow airport highlights the deficiencies of the current planning system in the UK, and we have supported Government plans to improve the process.
Summary
This Chamber, on behalf of its Members, believes that the economic and business interests of the South East will be best served by focusing investment in the growth potential, and access infrastructure at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
We believe that current investment in technology will reduce the environmental and noise pollution.
Improved planning procedures must reduce the time taken for planning decisions. They must also limit the impact on the quality of life of those living near airports, offering proper compensation to those where aircraft engine noise cannot be mitigated.
Paul Briggs
Chief Executive
Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group
Commerce House
2-6 Bath Road
Slough
SL1 3SB
Tel 01753 870582
Email: frankstroud@thamesvalleychamber.co.uk
Web site: www.thamesvalleychamber.co.uk
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