Airport boss puts case for runway

9:10am Tuesday 1st July 2008

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AIRPORT operator BAA’s commitment to a second runway at Stansted has been underlined by new BCC chief executive Colin Matthews.

Speaking during a keynote speech at the airport’s summer reception, Mr Matthews said: “Like everyone else at the moment, we are facing up to a number of business challenges as the effects of the economic uncertainty works through the economy. “Longer-term economic growth is predicted beyond the challenges of the current cyclical downturn – and with it will come continued growth in demand for air travel. Stansted is at the forefront to meet that challenge.

He added: “The project will bring significant benefits to the east of England and to the UK as a whole, and over 13,000 new jobs will be created. “The development will support plans for regional development, as well as underpin the investment planned for road and rail infrastructure in the region.

“In environment terms, I’m acutely aware that our plans have attracted widespread public debate – and quite right too. But our focus, as always, is on achieving sustainable growth, and as our plans have taken shape during years of extensive consultation we have refined our proposals so that in terms of environmental credentials, we are at the leading edge of what it is possible to do.”