New group backs airport expansion
20.04.08
A young aviation enthusiast has launched a new campaign group to support the expansion of Bristol Airport. Plans are due to be submitted by the airport to North Somerset Council this summer over proposals to raise passenger numbers from 6 million to 9 million per year by 2015. This has received strong criticism from campaign groups and residents. who fear the airport's expansion will result in too much traffic, cause misery for residents and have a detrimental effect on climate change.
But Daniel Hobbs, who is 18, feels there is too much negativity surrounding the proposed £80m development scheme. He says that the benefits of expansion far outweigh the negatives, and it is a crucial scheme to take Bristol forward in the 21st century.
He feels that future generations will reap dividends from having an airport that puts Bristol firmly on the map as an international tourist and business destination, and has formed a group called Bristol International Supporters Online (Bison), which has its own website www.biagrouponline.co.uk.
Since the website went live two weeks ago, it has had more than 2000 hits and Mr Hobbs has recruited over 30 members to the group. The members are made up of other aviation enthusiasts and staff from Bristol Airport, who are keen to see new jobs brought to the area.
He said: ‘The airport is a service for everybody and I can't understand why it's always being put down. In reality there are only a few people who will be affected by its expansion, but lots more who will benefit from it and it's people from my generation who are the ones who will see that.'
‘Flights aren't going to increase that much in numbers, it's just that the planes will be bigger and carry more people. But they are cleaner and quieter now, so I don't think people are going to notice much difference in terms of noise. I want to encourage people to show support for the airport and we will back them all the way with this application.’
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