Whenever any airport even thinks about expanding to provide more services and runways for its passengers, there is discord. We have seen that recently at Heathrow Airport.
But perhaps all the news and upset over Heathrow has overshadowed the problems that are occurring at Bristol Airport.
There will always be good points and bad points about any suggested expansion, and this is clearly the case with Bristol. Two local MPs are highlighting this very fact right now, and their views have hit the headlines in many local newspapers and on local websites too.
So what are the good points about expanding Bristol Airport? Well the main one is clearly that more jobs will be available for local people. More facilities mean that more people will be required to run them. But while this may be true, some people think that the number of jobs gained at the airport will be lost elsewhere.
Why is this? The expansion of Bristol Airport will make it more attractive to use for many people. Those who hadn’t previously considered using it to head abroad will be attracted by the new facilities. And according to those who oppose the expansion, this means the south west of the country will miss out on those tourist pounds that are currently being spent down there. Of course it will take several years for this to be seen and felt, but the risk is certainly there.
Concerns have also been brought up regarding the effects that the plans would have on local people. Is it the case that more attention is being paid to the people who will use the new facilities rather than the people who are going to have to live near them?
You can see why there is always so much controversy over any airport expansion, and Bristol Airport is no different. One of our other news reports this month focuses on the future plans for Manchester Airport, and that hasn’t yet received any negative feedback. But that is focusing on other facilities at the existing airport, and not any changes to the airport itself. That is the difference.
So what does the future hold for Bristol Airport?
It always seems inevitable that despite the opposition to expansion plans, they always seem to go ahead. Could it be the same here? The problem is that the issue surrounding job gains and losses will be played out in two different time zones. The gains will be made immediately, while the losses may not be felt until some years later. And that seems to be one of the main problems here.
There is also some concern that the new proposals could affect green belt land nearby. The new facilities are set to include a new car park, and the two MPs (John Penrose and Dr Liam Fox) are pointing out that this will apparently be on the green belt.
Whatever the situation and facts may be, it is clear that this disagreement will rumble on for some time to come.