CBI backs Stansted expansion

THE Confederation of British Industry is backing expansion at Stansted Airport ahead of developing a new off-shore airport in the Thames Estuary, a move that has been branded as a major snub to the UK's engineering industry by the Stop Stansted Expansion campaign group.

In its submission to the Government, the CBI rejects building a new airport at Cliffe in north Kent because it would not be cost effective.

Instead the organisation is backing expansion at Stansted, Heathrow and Gatwick.as part of a broad package to utilise the UK's existing aviation infrastructure.

It has forecast that the first runway will be needed at Heathrow by 2015, the second will be required before 2020 at Stansted because of planning restrictions at Gatwick, and the third will be needed by 2030 at either Stansted or Gatwick.

Campaign chairman Norman Mead said: "It seems the CBI has decided its members stand to profit most from expansion of existing airports and that this is what has influenced its recommendations.

"The CBI could easily have spearheaded consideration of an innovative solution, such as an off-shore option, giving a major boost to Britain's long-suffering engineering industry in the process."

09:27 Wednesday 8th January 2003

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