News story

16th December 2003

Plans For "North Bristol Airport" Grounded

Northavon MP Steve Webb has welcomed news that proposals for a ‘North Bristol Airport’ at Pilning have been scrapped. The Government’s new transport White Paper, published today says that “strong opposition” had influenced the Government’s decision to scrap plans for a regional airport at Pilning, choosing to develop Bristol International Airport instead.

This announcement marks a great success for both the local community and the Lib Dem MP who led a debate in Parliament earlier this year in which he challenged the Government on the issue and highlighted how inappropriate Pilning would be as a site for a large regional airport.

Steve Webb said:

“I am delighted that these plans have been abandoned. This is great news for the local community and is a reward for the hundreds of local residents who joined the campaign by registering their opposition to the plans.

"At last, the residents of Pilning and the surrounding area can escape the shadow of the airport proposals. The plans were ridiculous right from the start given Pilning’s proximity to major chemical plants and nuclear power stations and I am glad that the Government has finally closed the door on the issue.

"However, a more sustainable blue print for transport in the region must be developed, in which investment should be directed into improving existing rail and road services, rather than simply trying to predict and then meet the spiralling demand for air travel.”

Similar proposals for the development of Severnside into a regional airport have also been dropped in favour of the continued development of Cardiff airport.
 

Notes to editors:

1. Steve Webb held a public meeting with local residents when the plans were first published in July 2002. The meeting was attended by residents from several surrounding parishes, and helped to set up the “PAPA” organisation — People Against Pilning Airport. A subsequent leaflet, delivered to 4000 households across the Severnvale area prompted hundreds of local residents to respond to the Government’s consultation exercise to register their opposition to the plans.

2. The debate in Parliament took place between on Wednesday 15th January 2003. Steve Webb led the debate and a David Jamieson, a minister from the Department of Transport replied. Click here to read the debate in full.

3. Click here to read the Government's newly published Aviation White Paper.