To view the proposals for Birmingham Airport expansion in PDF format click here (includes map)

No Judicial Review on Second Runway
Posted Wednesday, 21 January, 2004
Solihull Council’s cabinet has decided not to take the Government to judicial review on its proposal to support the building of a second runway at Birmingham Airport. The proposal was contained in the Government’s White Paper on the future of air transport.

In November 2002, Solihull Council’s stated that the case for a second runway did not justify the deterioration in the quality of life that would be suffered by Solihull residents. They also stated that any development should be made through local negotiations, on an incremental basis, in accordance with negotiated master plan, UDP policy and balanced measures.

At a meeting held in private on Thursday 15 January, members considered their response to the Government’s White Paper, and whether a legal challenge would be possible. They considered legal advice from leading counsel that advised that the Council was unlikely to succeed on any legal challenge by way of a judicial review.

Members also discussed the likely cost of a judicial review, which initially could cost the Council £50,000, and could possibly increase significantly.

Cllr Ian Hillas, Deputy Leader of Solihull Council, who is leading on matters relating to the airport, said: “We are very disappointed that the Government has not taken on board the Council’s response to the proposals detailed in the White Paper. However, we believe it would be irresponsible to spend taxpayers’ money on a legal challenge that is virtually certain to fail. We feel that we now need to work closely with Birmingham International Airport and other relevant parties to minimise the impact a second runway would have on the borough’s residents. We will press them to deal fairly with residents and end the uncertainty felt by those who may be affected by blight.”

Posted Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Hello my name's Greg, and im a student studying the topic of conflict over the use of a resource at a local scale, for A-level geography, hence the Expansion of BIA.
Firstly after browsing through a lot of the comments, just for a fraction of background knowledge towards the attitudes for and against the development of BIA, it seems so clear and has just hit me in the face, that a lot of the people  do not know any where near enough information/detail to support their views. Of course anyone can write what they like, just as i am doing now, but its just frustrating knowing how little people know, whether it is impacting upon them directly or not. I mean, im a local living the Birmingham region and even as a student studying the topic, i dont know any where near enough information to shout out my view like a lot of people are doing so, with such passion, inconsideration, and belief that it the best view. My view is completely neutral at this moment in time, as there are so many reasons justifying attitudes towards and against the expansion of the airport.
I just think before people fully commit their views, they should look into the matter taking on board the many pro's and cons. Like researching basic physics, economics, human effects and other aspects that this situation brings. Whether the expansion gets the go ahead or not, this civilised approach from the public prior to illustrating their views might just help the situation to a decision, and a sufficient one of that!
IF you've bothered reading this then cheers.
Greg

Posted Monday, April 14, 2008
I think we should build a new runway because i think planes ar brilliant and i love em to bits i plane spot out side my backgarden day in day out and when im older i want to be a pilot i dont see global warming as a big problem its not the planes making the hassil its us if we cut down im sure fewer people will do flying building a new runway way will make birmingham one of the largest airports in the world and make brumi look popurlar thats what we want is it not
Ben Kempson

Posted Thursday, April 3, 2008
On Monday 31st March 2008 a debate was held in Solihull for local residents to make their views felt about the proposed runway extension at BIA Councillor Lorelly Burt sat on the panel in favour of the extension along with John Morris of BIA.
The main reasons that they both believed the proposed extension was to go ahead was the fact that it would open up Birmingham and local area to vast investment from far of countries such as china and India, with the belief that B,ham at present is being by-passed due to the likes of Heathrow and Manchester having direct flights to these countries and therefore they would prefer to set up business there.  I believe this to be a total myth as only recently TATA have bought Land Rover & Jaguar .  I believe that the only area that will profit from this venture is the profit making company that own BIA and if any other company were to embark on such a venture that effected the local residents mentally and financially the authorities would ensure that these people were compensated  fully not just allowing BIA to make any compensation voluntary, which incidentally is a great big FAT ZERO! and basically a like it or lump it attitude. The plan for a 2nd runway as we all no, took a backward step for the time being. But I believe that the euphoria by local protesters at having won this battle was used quite cleverly by BIA as a massive smoke screen.
So to sum up high taxes, rising job losses and an ever increasing challenge to get on the property market, would you want to invest in this country, Cadburys don't!!! and quite possibly a whole lot more in the near future.       
R. Adams

Posted Wednesday, January 23, 2008
I believe the expansion of Birmingham Airport is great idea, because it will create more jobs for the local community and it will mean that there will be destinations you can travel to from Birmingham Airport.  But the expansion plan will take up some Greenbelt land and the runway will be very close to a village called Bickenhill. The expansion will mean that there would have to be a new road layout on the Coventry road.
Simon Hampshire

Posted Monday, January 14, 2008
People are ranting about bringing investment in to the area.  How??????
Most manufacturing is going to places like China because it is cheaper to make goods there.  I would like someone to elaborate on this so called investment and what type we could expect.  We do not need a extension or a second runway, if I want a long haul flight I will go to Gatwick, I do not think that the powers that be give a sod about the people in the area and how it will affect them with the extra air traffic and noise.  Ok Planes get quieter, but what about the multiplication factor, more plane will make more noise.
So will some one tell me about this massive investment we will see, this is funny, as the local business link or chambers are talking about companies moving the businesses out of the UK and giving them Help to do this. 
Now Tata look set to take over Land Rover how long before this goes to India?????  UK is on the threshold of a melt down, rising taxes on everything we buy, Large companies will not settle in the UK as wages will have to rise to keep people in their homes and be able to eat, never mind taking a flight abroad.
Come on peeps smell the Roses.
Andy Roo

Posted Monday, November 5, 2007
As a representative of Elmdon, the ward most affected by the latest proposals from BIA, I would have to say that there would be no need for any extension to the existing runway if common sense had prevailed many years ago, and prevented all this hoo-hah in the first place.
Had the authorities of the time the wit, foresight and conviction to do so, they should have thought the whole thing through properly, which would have removed the problem once and for all.
What should have happened, in my view, is that when the idea of the NEC was first mooted back in the '60's, someone should have sussed that the NEC site was far more suited to airport use than the current site, being hemmed-in on all four sides and very close to domestic dwellings on two of them.
A brand-new airport, state-of-the-art road accesses and all infrastructure could have been put in place and commissioned on the NEC site, and the airport site could have been decommissioned and the NEC built there subsequently.
This would have given the NEC a lot more leg-room to begin with, brought it a lot closer to the City boundary and more regular bus services.
The airport would have been moved further away from domestic properties with a consequent reduction in noise nuisance, and have more room for terminals / passenger handling facilities than could ever be crammed onto the present site.
These events however didn't happen, for whatever reasons, and we currently face much upheaval, mess and uncertainty as a result of their lack of acumen.
Moving onto the subject of runway two, then; it was quite evident to us from the beginning of the RASCO study back in 2002 that BIA would struggle to make any sort of business case for a second runway, given the fact that the only justification for it was that local people wanted to fly to all destinations from their own airport.
We pointed out at that time that the reason for the lack of global services from Elmdon was largely brought about by the big carriers having insufficient confidence in filling  regular scheduled flights to a viable level, a fact that was reinforced by the subsequent withdrawal of services by BA and other major carriers because of falling numbers of paying passengers.
After the initial "consultation", it became clear that the options provided on the RASCO paper would not hold water under any sort of scrutiny; the close-spaced option would be too close together, resulting in concerns about flight safety on landing and takeoff in poor conditions; the wide-spaced option would take up an enormous tract of green belt and  amenity land and impact on Catney and Bickenhill to an unacceptable degree.
BIA, under the management of Brian Summers, then metaphorically shot themselves in the foot; because of the adverse comment and furore caused by the wide-spaced proposal, their planners came up with the idea of the "short" runway that coud be used as an adjunct to the main facility, and would halve the amount of land-take required to build and commission it.
Now because BIA had the idea and put it forward, the DeTR played their trump card, and decreed that if BIA wanted to do that, then BIA would have to pay for it, full-stop.
This of course put an entirely different perspective on the matter; as the cost of such a gamble would be in the region of £12-14Bn,  it would be necessary to invite outside agencies to invest substantial capital into the venture without any guarantees of dividends or the timescales involved - hardly conductive to good business practice!
Also recognised by BIA was the fact that as the projected scale of operations would only begin around 2021 or thereabouts, there would be an inflationary factor on projected costs that could bump the final figure up to £16-18Bn by 2018.
However, all that is now history, and we have a new definitive 'Master Plan' from BIA that sets out hwer it sees itself being in the next twenty-odd years and beyond.
The nub of the matter is that there will be no revisitation of a second runway until 2030 at the earliest, and that the extension of 3-3 will go ahead as planned, hopefully to be ready in time for the Olympics in 2012.
Further, all references to a second runway will be deleted from local search engines, so that the residents whose homes have been blighted by this controversy will be able to get on with their lives and make informed choices as to their futures.
It has to be said at this point that had the powers-that-be listened to the Friends of Elmdon, the Elmdon Action Group, BANG and Friends of the Earth (and me!) to begin with, it would have saved a great deal of time, trouble and heartache to many people in the area.
I have done more than my level best to support residents and action groups in the five years that this issue has been going on, and God willing will continue to do so in the future.
Cllr Johnny Bramham, Elmdon

Posted Monday, July 2, 2007
I think that BHX should get a new runway as it would help Birmingham to regain the titel as being one of the UKs maor cities once more. It would benefit everyone and for the people who complain they need to move on and move into the 21st century.
Marc Lomas

Posted Monday, June 25, 2007
I think it would be great for Birmingham Airport to get expanded! Another, shorter runway parallel to the existing one amongst other extensions would mean more flights to more destinations! I'd love to see it happen. There are already loads of place flying over our heads right now, so who cares? A little more extra engine noise isn't going to hurt!
Tim

Posted Tuesday, May 8, 2007
I agree with dug what an inspiration your kids are in schools learning about the many ways the world will be destroyed I mean my kid came home and said "mom is it true that if we humans carry on the way we are going the gases will cause global warming, less drinkable water, less land and more people will die in masses? that's scary isn't it mom what's going to happen to me in about 20 or 30 years time i don't want to die that young by the way she's 12 and she's quite a bright spark. it scares me to here her speak like that it really does because what will happen to our children or to our grandchildren in the future? less building like pointless casino's and more bloody motorways to add to the concrete jungle lets invest more in green global stuff like agenda 21 and stuff like that!
Ren Morgan

Posted  Monday, January 29, 2007
The Irish and Australian business shareholders pulling out of the Airport suggests there is a weak economic case for expansion and that there is no money to be earned from it.  By pushing the airport back into public ownership, the Chamber of Commerce seems to think that the taxpayer can pay for the loss-making expansion.  West Midlands Councils seem to want Birmingham to be big for the sake of pride rather than because of need.  There is the macho temptation to say 'we have a massive airport'".
Chris Williams

Posted  Monday, January 29, 2007
I think that you should extend terminal two because some of the passengers are complaining about how small it is. Also can we have more operators to come and more different destinations and some long-haul flights.
Wilson

Posted  Tuesday, January 9, 2007
I think there should be a new runway built ASAP and the existing one should be extended to at least 3000m. I think there should be a new passenger terminal and there should be more jetways installed. Birmingham is the busiest airport in the Midlands, the North have Manchester, the South have Heathrow. Birmingham needs to be expanded. ASAP!
Stephen

Posted Monday, August 21, 2006
So we are going to have an expanded airport ( a new motorway service station , possibly a casino ,even a stadium ), oh help us in our concrete jungle. Of course the m42 will then have to be widened ...and so on and so .Quality of life and environment are the real things that sell towns and cities , that attract skilled people ,make people happy & attract tourists etc. Air transport has had too free a hand to enjoy growth - but this cannot go on , the era of cheap flights and no worries about carbon emmisions will not last anyway. The future is not about a gridlocked M42 and A45 - Noise and air pollution as millions of people try to get in and out of solihull as fast as they can ( just like Heathrow airport). Lets fight to keep our little bit of greenbelt , its still reasonably nice round here !! invest in public transport , cycle routes and green schemes and more people might want to stay in in brum for their week off
Dug

Posted Friday, April 14, 2006
well I think birmingham dnt need second runway right now because if you look at london gatwick which is handling more then 25million people every year its only got 1 runway so why cant birmingham handle 10 million passenger with 1 runway.
Mar

Posted Wednesday, March 15, 2006
I think Birmingham expanding its runway is bad because it will just cause more pollution, but nobody will care as they will be receiving lots of money :(
Jen

Posted Tuesday, March 7, 2006
Me and my family travel widely 2-3 times a year. I hate to think that in this time and age we have to travel all the way to London or anywhere else to go on holiday. The second runway will not only ease the time that it takes to get to a airport but it will also bring great financial rewards to the region. Those who don't want a second runway are those who are stuck in another TIME.
Tony K

Posted Monday, December 12, 2005
Cathy , Hampton in arden is approx 1.4 miles east of the approach to Runway 33 at birmingham , that means that you would experience noise there . The future plans for runway extension would not affect that -- the same approach path would be used and the height variation would only be a couple of hundred feet if that.
Jim

Posted Monday, December 5, 2005
Emily:  www.birminghamairport.co.uk  Click on 'Environment and Planning' link at top and then the draft master plan link at the bottom of page.  All the info you need I think.
Montana

Posted Tuesday, November 8, 2005
How much will the new runway at Birmingham affect life in Hampton in Arden? Does any one know? I am looking at properties here and in Solihull. Which should i go for? Help!!!  Does any one know if it H in A will be under a direct flight path???
Cathy

Posted Monday, November 7, 2005
The planners have forgot to include a direct link from Solihull station. Is this extension ( or the airport for that  matter supposed) to serve above all the good tax payers of Solihull?
Albert

Posted Friday, November 4, 2005
In response to V Johnson's comments:-
You mention that people were not told about the airport expansion when they moved in, well again I refer to my previous comments - if you move close to an international airport then there is a pretty fair chance that it is going to grow in size and get busier. Im sorry that Birmingham airport didn't contact every home in the vicinity during the last decade and outline their plans, but I would rather think that some of the responsibility lay with the person buying the house, after all you pay for your searches to be done regarding land subsidence but don't check to see if an airport is going to expand?
With regards to your comments about long haul Asian flights. These are regularly overloaded to the point that freight and sometimes bags have to be offloaded due to the constraints of the runway. The originally Pakistan international flights used a 747 which was not able to fly direct and had to stop on Copenhagen to refuel, again down to weight limitations due to the runway.
International long haul carriers will not consider Birmingham airport as a viable route due to this problem, and it has to be addressed. At the moment the airport is handing a lot of commuter traffic on aging aircraft, these are noisy and extremely frequent. The runway extension would allow long haul traffic which tends to be more modern, quieter and less frequent, thus solving a lot of the issues talked about here.
And finally I refer back to your opening comment "Isn't it funny that people who don't know the facts are all for the airport expansion! " --- in response , after having worked in aviation for over a decade , commercial pilot training and living in Solihull , I would say I do know the facts!
Jim

Posted Friday, November 4, 2005
This airport expansion is not helping us at all, It will be causing a lot of air polution and i will asure you it will also ruin 0ur lifes the airport expansion i think should not go ahead and i think we should make a protest about it!!
Liam Ballinger

Posted Wednesday, November 2, 2005
I cannot ever understand why other existing airports / airfields cannot be better utilised, Why not develop Coventry into an International airport or even Halfpenny Green. Why destroy more areas when the above two already have runways and could be developed further
Paul  Bradbury

Posted Monday, October 24, 2005
I believe  a second runway woudl benefit the airport financially and reduce the delays caused by air traffic. However i also believe our economy does not need this significant boost within the near future, foir we are currently trying to promte the conservation of britains natural regions.
James McDonald

Posted Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Isn't it funny that people who don't know the facts are all for the airport expansion!  The airport has the capacity to take 3 times the amount of passengers it already does without expanding. They already do long haul flights to Asia several times a week. There was enough demand for some of the US flights in the past. For people living close to the airport, they were not told this would happen when they bought their properties and now they are having problems selling them.  What will happen to their blighted homes now that the airport is planning on delaying its SO DESPERATELY NEEDED expansion until approx 2030 from 2017?
V Johnson, Solihull

Posted Saturday, October 8, 2005
I think the expansion of Birmingham airport is a good idea as many more people would not have to travel as far to fly out to a different country. Also the airport will be gaining more money and gaining more pasengers so the airport will need to be expanded to build more terminals and check-in desks
Fiona

Posted Saturday, October 8, 2005
I think that a new runway will benefit Birminham in the long run. It could create new careers and industries, fundumentaly if yu do oppose the airport expansion then you oppsing progress. Now progress for progresses sake must be discouraged but progress for industrial progress must be encouraged to help the future of Birmingham.
Tom Dunn

Posted Tuesday, September 27, 2005
I am totally for the runway expansion. Things need to move with the times, I'm sure lots of mindless people didn't complain when Birmingham expanded from a small town into the huge city it is now, and acres more countryside and farmland were inevitably lost. We're the second city, over half of England's population is within a 2-hour drive from us so why not expand the airport? Yes countryside will be lost but there's plenty more of it. I think it would be great for the area, creating more jobs and boosting the local economy. I find it incredibly selfish that those whinging about the expansion seem to be the ones who live near it. It's your own fault for living by the airport, you chose to so why moan now?! Birmingham needs an airport that can accommodate the increasing demand for flights, why should we drive to London or Manchester to fly when we could on our own doorstep? It only pollutes the air driving for two hours on a motorway, only to fly afterwards. I can't see the point in protesting against the expansion, because it seems good from all angles to me.
A. Boulcott, Castle Bromwich

Posted Friday, September 23, 2005
The expantion should help people travel but will not help the enviroment. there is not a need for an expansion at the moment so they should wait till it is nessesery!
Ellie j

Posted Friday, August 19, 2005
If anyone has any proposed compulsory purchase orders on their properties please don't hesitate to email me for advice. My name is Stuart Hastings and I work for Bruton Knowles. we are a team of chartered surveyors with experience in CPO.
Stuart Hastings

Posted Thursday, May 26, 2005
Yes I think its a great idea I cant see why your moaning I bet you wont be moaning when you use the airport to go on holiday
Adam

Posted Thursday, April 21, 2005
Who is going to compensate for the dropping value of my house, my family quality of life and fuel and noise pollutions when a second run way is built? The council?? Or those people who is supporting it and live far away from it? I think the airport is big enough as it is to serve the W. Midlands economy.
Baz

Posted Friday, April 15, 2005
I think you guys are pretty sad for just sitting there complaining about the expansion. maybe you could do something about it!! Or at least try, because sitting her whining about it is not going to get you much further!!  Your comments are pointless...
Bob

Posted Thursday, March 17, 2005
I think that the expansion of Birmingham airport is a really good idea as it means that more people can go abroad and more people can then come into the country. The only bad thing i will say about it is i do feel sorry for the people who are living near by with all the air pollution
Lisa Williams

Posted Wednesday, February 9, 2005
I think that the expansion will be a good idea as you will have more customers and also have the money to spend on new planes
Katie Cooke

Posted Thursday, February 3, 2005
I find many of your comments on this page slightly bizarre!. For a start I would like to bet that the majority of you have travelled by air from Birmingham at some point (the noise didn't seem to pose a problem for you then!), or even if you didn't fly from Birmingham and you used another UK airport - did you think about its local residents as you were checking in for you holidays?  Probably not!  How many people here have any knowledge of aviation or the physics behind it?, the horrific runway expansion? - That means that because of a longer runway less thrust is required on takeoff, thus less noise!!!!  And for the people that say that the have moved to Catherine de Barnes and other areas around the airport- are you mad! , YOU moved to the airport and now you are complaining about it! . it doesn't take a brain surgeon to see that generally airports grow in their capacity and size.  I certainly wouldn't move to the airport, however if I was foolish enough to, I wouldn't complain about my own bad decisions!  Maybe if people spent more time researching their local areas as opposed to whining on here, they wouldn't be in this situation in the first place!
Airports = Noise  
Don't move to the vicinity of one!
Jim

Posted Thursday, December 30, 2004
Why don't the people who object to a second runway at Birmingham let it be known that they would support  greater use of Coventry airport, write to the planning officer at Warwick District Council and voice your support for COVENTRY at the public enquiry in February 2005.
Brian Walford

Posted Monday, November 1, 2004
As a resident of Catherine de barnes i am begining to get a slight complexe .I moved here about 4 and a half years ago from Sheldon. Thinking we were moving further away from the city and its noise, how wrong i was! We were warned of a possibility of the MSA being built on the M42. But, we thought we could live with that, if it happened, but had no warning of the 2nd runway saga! Well, to get to the point, we are now living in a situation of having the new MSA to the south, a possible new cemetery across the road to the north and a major flight path over-head. I must have have done something wrong in a previous life to have deserved this. ps.. just waiting for them to discover coal, so they can open a mine underneath my house so we get it from all sides.
Lucky

Posted Thursday, October 7, 2004
I'm trying to find information about the expansion of Birmingham airport, when and how etc for my GCSE coursework. Can anybody help me?
Emily

Posted Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Oh Jon from Hampton in Arden.  You just moved there...did you not know? and four journeys a year from BHX?  Man, this expansion is happening because of you!  Thanks mate!!!!
A Resident with aircraft noise

Posted Tuesday, August 17, 2004
It is such a shame that so many people will have to suffer, but the reality is, unless you guys stop wanting to travel that airport will be expanded,  Sorry, but....all bragging you have given to friends about how great it is to have a major airport on your doorstep have led to this.  Sorry.  You cannot stop it.  Just work with those who will make it happen to ensure that you get the best from it that you can.  It will happen.
Butty

Posted Monday, August 16, 2004
Looking back on all these comments, I think I can safely say that the majority are against any expansion of ELMDON airport outside its original boundaries, despite some very pertinent arguments from the 'pro' lobby.  The fact is that the facility we have is simply in the wrong place, a legacy of Birmingham City Council's lack of foresight and investment from years ago.  Common sense should have told planners that any facility such as this would have to expand over the years, and that Elmdon could not expand northwards because of the proximity of Sheldon village.  It would not have been beyond the wit of mankind at that point to deduce that moving it south would have the desired effect, exactly where the NEC now stands.  So will someone now tell me why it was that when the idea of the NEC was first thought about, nobody twigged that it would be a very cunning plan to build a brand-fire new airport where the NEC now is, and build a brand-new NEC on the airport site?  That however is history, and does not solve the conundrum that we now face of having another runway, with all the associated groundworks buildings, bells and whistles etc., not to mention acres of car parks and extra roads to accommodate all the extra traffic.  Lord knows, it's bad enough when there's a a big 'do' at the NEC under the present circumstances, so I shudder to think what it will be like when this monstrosity is built.
Looking to the future, those residents whose property lies within the 69-decibel footprint have received a glossy booklet from BIA giving some details about who will receive compensation in respect of blight, etc., which is about as clear as a Blair speech on foreign policy.  There are so many whys, wherefores and conditions bandied about in this so-called 'consultation' that I have had to ask for clarification of the main points by a solicitor, the results of which will be communicated to Elmdon residents as soon as possible.  It does however seem on the face of it that BIA is trying to limit the extent of it's liabilities for such claims by "leading" the reader towards option two, which although ostensibly better for homeowners in the short-term may well bring severe disadvantages over a longer period.  Now that this abominably undemocratic decision has been taken, we can only try to limit the damage when and where we can.  The environment will be forever ruined and we will suffer noise, nuisance and traffic chaos for years to come, but whatever happens, I will do my level best to look after those good Elmdonians who elected me to look after their best interests.
Cllr. John Bramham

Posted Wednesday, August 11, 2004
I have recently moved to Hampton In Arden to escape the hustle of city centre living. Only to find that this beautiful part of the midlands is now under threat by a concrete runway.  I think it's disgusting.  The airport is well equipped enough to cope with international flights - I should know, I use it 4 times a year on business!  SAY NO TO AIRPORT EXTENSION!!!!
Jon

Posted Friday, August 6, 2004
Birmingham Airport, just put us all out of our misery, we have had stress, nervous breakdowns, depression, heartache and tears and this is just Bickenhill Village.  The village has been there long before the airport, well its all down again to money, and hey you think you can just offer compensation, it must be sad to put money before a beautiful little piece of paradise.  You tell me where I can get a similar property in B92+Mmmm difficult isn't it
Bickenhill Resident

Posted Wednesday, July 28, 2004
If Nick P looks at the pdf (link above) he will find that the expansion really only affects the south side of the airport although there may be a slight increase in aircraft noise.  This however will soon be reduced as quieter aircraft are being introduced and Ryanair has nearly gone.
Pyro

Posted Monday, July 19, 2004
We are about to buy a house in Marston Green. At present there is hardly any aircraft noise, but how would this change if the expansion scheme goes ahead?
Nick P

Posted Saturday, July 10, 2004
Air Expansion Good, but, history far outways any development. To the comment of the airport being here before a lot of the residents - Wake up ; village has been here for Centurys - Get priorities correct. (I think of the property & history before myself.)
Bickenhill Resident

Posted Saturday, July 3, 2004
I work at the airport, and I live within the area of the flightpath, so I think that I can safely say that I know what I am talking about.  If we do not have an expansion to the runway, we will never be able to get large, fully loaded intercontinental aircraft into Birmingham.  We NEED these flights here NOW, not in five or ten years time. People in Birmingham don't want to travel to London, Manchester or East Midlands every time we want to travel long haul.  We want to get to our airport quickly and on return get home quickly.  If people in Solihull don't like the idea of the airport expansion, sell up and move or are they all NIMBY's?
Tony

Posted Thursday, May 27, 2004
Birmingham Airport is fine as it is don't spoil our wildlife's homes just for our trivial ends. :(
High Schooler

Posted Tuesday, April 27, 2004
No to 2nd runway. It will just result in chaos on the roads around the airport.
Anon

Posted Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Its good news that Solihull has decided not to waste taxpayers money on an enquiry.
Lets get on with it and make BIA continue to be the best airport in the land!
Pyro

Posted Monday, January 12, 2004
I would not be surprised to hear BIA confirm any time soon that they are commencing the legal and financial groundwork related to extending the existing runway. Now that the Government has made its commitment clear to serious expansion at the airport, the genie's out of the bottle and it would make sense to get the extension out of the way as a first phase. It also means that the re-routing of the A45 (a major undertaking and a pre-requisite of both the extension and the new runway) can be completed in a few years, well before the second runway.
In late 2002, the BIA board seriously considered announcing that the extension would go ahead there and then, regardless of the final conclusions of the Aviation Consultation; they decided not to at that stage, but now that the Government has arrived at what is effectively the most favourable outcome BIA could have hoped for, I'm sure they will press ahead. It will probably be about 2011 before the extension is finished, but we will see a mass exodus from Bickenhill long before then.
James

Posted Wednesday, January 7, 2004
ALL of the government proposals included a 2nd runway so hoping another enquiry will stop it is a waste of money - its going to happen anyway. At least the newer BIA proposal doesn't use as much land, only quieter aircraft will use it and it won't be used at night. BIA has the strictest night-time and noise restrictions of any airport in the UK.
Pyro

Posted Friday, December 19, 2003
Be realistic about the proposal for the New Runway, whether there a case for a Judicial Review or not, plan whatever action in the future, the only thing that might be achieved is a delay in the runway proposal, but the decision has been made the second runway will be built ,that's the reality.
Rob Shearman

Posted Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Are people still moving into the Catherine de Barnes area of Solihull? I have fallen in love with a house there and am now confused whether to go ahead or not.
Anon
If the house you were looking at is still for sale following today's announcement I'd snap it up! You should get it for a fraction of the asking price now!

Will
(Fully supporting all airport expansions!)

Posted Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Tax air fuel the same as road fuel then we will see what expansion is required.
Make the airport have a half mile buffer zone around it and make the passengers pay for the compulsory purchase of homes, that will make them think twice before flying.
Put congestion charge area around airport @ £5 plus parking costs

Chris

Posted Tuesday, December 16, 2003
After recently returning to Solihull to visit family and flying into Birmingham airport with Emirates via UAE from Australia I can only support the upgrade of the airport. The airport as it stands is not a bad airport and a far cry from when I watched Viscounts, BAC111 and Tridents fly all the residents of Solihull off to Spain ect, those lucky people in the big houses that could afford it, well now its 2003 and air travel is within the reach of all of us so why not have a airport that can cater for planes that are quieter than Tridents, BAC111, 727 and planes that have longer range, we need to upgrade the airport now, who wants to spend time driving to London or Manchester, it would be interesting to see how many of the residents that are against the upgrade go overseas each year by plane for work or pleasure. I don't like to see old places change anymore than the next person but as I said before its 2003 and we have to plan for the future.

Keith

Posted Monday, December 15, 2003
I am all in favour of a THIRD runway at Birmingham! How many people realise that there are already two runways 15/33 and the shorter one 06/24. A lady on the TV was complaining every time an aircraft when over and she had lived there for 20 years - well the airport has existed since the late 1930s and as far back as the late 1960s I flew to New York from there many time with BOAC so she cannot say she didn't know about its being there. Why buy a house UNDER the flight path if you don't like aircraft. Unless you've lived there for more than forty years or so there is no cause to complain, modern aircraft are quieter than the old BAC 1-11s etc.

Pyro

Posted Saturday 13 December 2003
Meriden MP Caroline Spelman is urging people opposed to the expansion of Birmingham International Airport to use the information superhighway to take part in a 'virtual' protest march.

The march consists of sending an e-mail to Mr.Darling alistair.darling@dft.gsi.gov.uk between 8am on Sunday 14 December and midnight on Monday 15 December to say "NO" to a second runway at Birmingham International Airport. This may be your last chance to object!!!

This is the e-mail that I am sending which you are free to copy:-

As a pensioner living not far from the Airport I object to the building of a second runway, whether it be a long or short one, at Birmingham. If this proposal goes ahead your decision will be based on a false consultation and misinformation and will more than double the number of people affected by the noise of aircraft in the adjoining residential areas.

There is an alternative, which would allow air traffic to increase without airport expansion. The creation of a fast exit taxiway would be cost effective and ultimately save the Government and taxpayer a great deal of money. Gatwick has only one runway but planes use a fast taxiway landing at 130 or 140mph and use reverse thrust and breaking to slow down to speeds of 50 or 60 mph. They can then leave the main runway rather than slowing down completely thus freeing the runway for other aircraft.

Please send something,

Geoff Dean

Posted Saturday, December 13, 2003
I hope the expansion of Birmingham International Airport, gets the go-ahead. As this would give a greater choice of flights, rather than travelling to Heathrow or any other Airport, create new jobs & improve the economy for the whole region. People who decide to live next to an Airport, know very well that over a period of time as the demand grows, Airports have to expand to meet the demand. Birmingham Airport needs to expand for the sake of the whole region.

Elizabeth Johnson

Posted Thursday, December 11, 2003
It was amazing to see that in this week's ICSolihull poll on the internet regarding, Birmingham Airport's Alternative short Runway poll, which was averaging over 80%(last few days) in support for the Short Runway as of 10pm on the 10th December, Suddenly had changed overnight with nearly 60 % against the short runway by 8am on the 11th December. Nearly a 360 degrees turn, Just before the this week's Solihull News is printed. Makes you wonder either there has been sudden change of people's views overnight or more likely the results made more suitable to get the headlines the paper wants. Solihull News have never presented a fair view regarding the Airport Expansion proposals. Birmingham needs to expand & hope this would be in the Aviation White Paper

R.Jones

Posted Wednesday, December 10, 2003
BHX needs the second runway in the future, as and when the demand is there to support it.
But more importantly the current runway must be Extended as matter of priority to attract more long haul flights ,so that BHX can realise it's full potential. Both the Local MP's for Solihull & Meriden should realise that not everyone in the region is against a new runway as proposed by BHX itself.
If these MP's were to have their way BHX would start to stagnate

M.Harris

Posted Monday, December 8, 2003
I'm a student on a degree programme in Tourism Business Management. I believe the expansion for Birmingham Airport is vital as it will increase revenue to the existing business and create thousands of jobs within the locality. I can sympathise with the residents to some extent, but feel that they should look at things from a different perspective. Birmingham is the UK's second biggest city and requires the need for a major international airport. If it fails to do this, other airports such as Manchester, Coventry, Rugby, East Midlands and Heathrow will be more than willing to take this opportunity! I think the decision should be made as soon as possible and work should start immediately because the later they leave it, the less chances they have of a brighter future for Birmingham.

Dil Walele

Posted Monday, November 17, 2003
My property is one of the 41 likely to be lost if BHX gets the go ahead for its own proposal for a shortened wide space second runway, but I was aware of future developments when I bought my home 20 yrs. ago. So lets get on with it so that everyone knows exactly where they stand & can get on with planning the rest of their lives. I support the new proposal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Graham Shelley

Posted Friday, November 14, 2003
Hate to say this, but the airport must expand. Either that or it goes somewhere else. Either way, it will expand because it is everyday folk who use it. We all go on our holidays, by far the biggest market for the airport, and it is us that it needs to expand for. But take comfort, with modern planning regulations and environmental standards, plus the vastly improved quality of aircraft and their own noise and pollution controls, the impact will be as minimal as possible.
Would be interesting to know how many people who protested against the airport, and good luck to you if that is what you truly believe in, but how many of you waved Concorde goodbye recently or will fly out for some sunny place to spend two weeks doing nothing more than indulging in a bit of tanning?
It is you that the airport is expanding for.

Ian B

Posted Friday, November 7, 2003
Bet you all use the Airport!!!!!!!
????????

Posted Thursday, November 6, 2003
An airport expansion in Birmingham would be wonderful

Sam

Posted Wednesday, October 29, 2003
I would love to be a pilot when i am older, and the expansion of Birmingham airport would be a god send due to the increase in number of airlines, thus job opportunities I can potentially face. The loss to the environment would be kept to a minimum, and with technology increasing, the pollution will be kept to a minimum. I think that Birmingham airport needs to keep up with the likes of Gatwick and Manchester, who already have parallel runways. Another benefit for the community would be potentially lower fares, which I'm sure would be greeted.
Another factor is that if the airport expands, then this may attract airlines with larger fleets such as United and Virgin to use the airport, meaning no more travelling to London or Manchester if we want to extend out travels abroad.
Claude Von Cloud

Posted Sunday, October 19, 2003
Has anyone else found it hard to even find maps of the plans, where can i find them? and how can a community make up their minds on something when they can't even see how much the are will be effected?
Anon

Posted Tuesday, October 7, 2003
Can anyone advise me of the latest position with regard to the developments? What is happening to property prices in Catherine de Barnes? Are people still purchasing properties there?
Anon

Posted Friday, September 26, 2003
I think the expansion of Birmingham Airport is an excellent idea, it is the most sensible option and would be great news for the region. The airport has been there far longer than some of the residents who are complaining about it.

P Smith

Posted Monday, August 18, 2003
The government is determined to build new airports/runways and is proposing that these be built in some very sensitive areas. I don't want to see any increase in air traffic because of the huge amount of air, land and noise pollution it causes.

Consequently, when trying to book a holiday this year, I tried to avoid flying. God, it was difficult! There were massive numbers of extremely tempting cheap flights, and it seems that at the same time as flights have been getting cheaper other forms of transport have been getting more expensive ie. you can no longer buy the £35 return to Calais by boat train because, as I was told by the operator at the booking centre "the demand isn't there". This started me thinking...

Why are flights so cheap? Is aviation fuel taxed at a lower rate by the government?
Do the present government have any friends in the BAA / Aerospace / Oil industries?
Do planes need more oil than trains & boats?
Could land/water based public transport be pretty much wiped out so we follow the american template of having to travel everywhere by car or plane?

Wouldn't this be really bad for the environment? Wouldn't it mean higher consumption of oil? Shouldn't we be conserving oil for more important things than "city breaks"?
Most ordinary people in this country can no longer afford to travel by train as a result of Thatcher's anti public transport policies in the 80's, and now they have to pay inflated oil prices to drive to work too.
For a government that is supposed to be looking after public transport and our environment, they're doing a crap job so far.

And don't believe the lie that jobs will be lost if the airport expansion doesn't happen. The tax we are paying to subsidise cheap flights could always be used to subsidise cheap trains instead - and that would also create more jobs!

Some interesting links:
Global Policy Forum - Some European attitudes to aviation fuel taxing:
http://www.globalpolicy.org/socecon/glotax/aviation/
Guardian Reports:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,604237,00.html
Future of air industry as envisioned by Washington:
http://depts.washington.edu/gttl/GlobalAirline.pdf

If you believe in protecting the environment, not just in your immediate locale, but globally, then I suggest going on holiday by other means than flying this year. Better still, enjoy the effects of global warming, whilst not adding to it, by holidaying in this country.
BOYCOTT FLIGHTS OR LOSE THE CHOICE!

Al (ex of Solihull)

Posted Friday, August 8, 2003
The problem with Birmingham and Solihull will never go away. At the moment the people living in the countryside seem to have a bigger vote than people living in the surrounding cities. Some people within the Birmingham & Solihull area are worried about the expansion of Birmingham Airport, but I say this - The area of Solihull and Birmingham needs more jobs, I'm fed up with people feeling they have to move further a field in order to find a decent job, were always losing out to London and Manchester when it comes to big investors. We are in danger of becoming a nothing city, a place where nobody wants to invest - if you like a ghost town. Take the IT industry for example, nearly none existent within the Birmingham area.
Specialist Computer Centre, are the biggest IT company, currently investing in Birmingham and Solihull. But on a world scale considered tiny. We need to bring more business into the area and more investment, really put Birmingham and the West Midlands back on the map. Let's put a stop to big companies always favouring the south over the Midlands and the north. The only way Birmingham and Solihull have a future is if the people accept the needs of the here and now.
I to am sympathetic to losing vast areas of the Countryside. I absolutely love going for a stroll through parts of the Midlands. The Clent-hills really show off how beautiful the midlands really is, but let's face it. What we are talking about here are a few villagers out shouting the many voices representing the needs of the many. And our future as well as our children's is being put at risk.

MARK HALL

Posted Thursday, August 7, 2003
My family and I use BHX, so welcome the expansion. The airport generates many jobs, and I bet that the people opposed, use here just like all the rest of us. to see BHX close would be a very sad day for Birmingham, and the so-called community should stop and think of this. progress is inevitable, if its not the airport, how long until the government decides that Bickenhill would be a ideal place for another toll road that this country won't benefit financially from. Maybe you should think of the people that it will put out of work, or how about the jobs it would create, a future for our youth, not just the fact that it may knock a few quid off your house prices. what we sacrifice now will benefit other in the future.

Kelly

Posted Saturday, June 28, 2003
I was born in Solihull, and I lived in the Elmdon area for the first 11 years of my life. I now live in Knowle, and have always believed myself to be incredibly lucky to have the wonderful countryside surrounding me. All of those who are worried largely about profit need to think hard about the importance of things. Having profit is all very well, but it is useless if we destroy our planet in our quest for it. The world is not ours to kill in pursuit of gain. Instead of trying to tame nature, we should learn to work with it. And surely children, health, and the environment are things we all care about? But sometimes I wonder.

Anon

Posted Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Hi, I'm a second year geography student studying the effects of this expansion on the Bickenhill area for my dissertation, so it is vital for me to obtain any first hand opinions on this matter. I am particularly interested in hearing from members of SOAR or BANG whose views are vital to the study. If anyone would be interested in putting opinions forward please get in contact with me at cpd1@aber.ac.uk or by phone on 0121 684 2819. Thanks.
Chris Donkin

Posted Monday, May 12, 2003
In my opinion I think the extra income of BHX will be a great boost but to the noise and pollution I don't like the idea. I live straight under the flight path of most planes and I hate it but I wonder what it must be like living in Sheldon and Solihull!

Paul Gill

Posted Saturday, May 10, 2003
I'm sure that if you live near the airport then you use it for your holidays and if it expands it will bring more choices to where you go on holiday. Although it may have a number of negative effects the airport seems to be doing there best to make the airport as environmentally friendly as possible. Look at the SkyRail and how that has developed and the money allocated to ensure that travelling from the airport is an enjoyable one. I'm sure it will attract more travellers to use Birmingham rather than Heathrow. This can only mean good things for Birmingham. It will make it better known and improve its image. Birmingham is a brilliant place to live and visit and this goes unrecognised by so many. I believe an expansion will bring a huge number of benefits to the city of Birmingham as with more passengers then that means more money spent in our city. Obviously I recognise all the negative elements but I think that its important to look forward and see all the positive factors that may develop.

Caroline
Thanks for your comments Caroline. I highlighted your references to Birmingham because I did not see any to Solihull and of course it would be Solihull and not Birmingham that would bare the brunt of the negative aspects. - Ian Sill - Solihull Online

Posted Saturday, April 26, 2003
I think expanding Birmingham airport will be in a way good because all of the Commonwealth and Olympic Games will be here. But the airport is not a good idea because of the pollution and the noise and they will move a lot of people out of their homes. I am a Bickenhill resident and I am not moving for the expansion.

Emma - 12

Posted Sunday, March 23, 2003
It would affect people in lots of different ways. For me it would be the noise, for others loss of their homes, some people it would be the traffic and so on.
NO WAY TO NEW RUNWAY!!! It's a bad idea and the public are against it it. Listen to the community!

Anon

Posted Friday, March 7, 2003
24 hour flights over the whole Solihull area indeed a 30 mile radius which does include Birmingham residents - if you say Yes to the Airport Expansion this is what you will be saying yes to. Birmingham International Airport (in Solihull) does not need to become "larger than life", it may need to expand in a realistic manner. But what is realistic about the Consultation Document. Yes I sacrificed the 5th November to sit on the fully occupied balcony from 5.30 to 10.30pm to hear the members of Solihull Council at their special meeting in the Solihull Council House and to be truthful - "the residents of the whole area" won the night and convinced the Solihull Council members that they should indeed see reality and object in total to this "over-designed expansion". We do not want to become a Heathrow Airport. We are a prosperous area and also the prosperity comes from the people who live in the area, who yes have standards and do not want a total reversal of community life i.e. a larger pollution in noise / air / countryside / daily family living. It is indeed an area of beauty in both business and attitudes of people who care for each other. Birmingham International Airport will not die - due to minimal expansion, it is there to stay! Long may our standard of living remain!
Sue - Knowle Resident

Posted Thursday, March 6, 2003
The house we bought is not within 5 miles of the airport, it will be if the expansion goes ahead, but planes do not ' disappear ' after 5 miles and the disturbance and the wonderful smell of pollution is still there. Solihull may well be served by the m42/m5/m6 but the local road infrastructure that the expansion will require is not there. How much more land will be lost to these expansions.

A Solihull Resident

Posted Thursday, February 27, 2003
At least you moaners live nice and near to the airport so you can all soar off into the sky and off to some far-flung land in a matter of minutes. The rest of us might not live under the flight path, but we have to trek for miles and miles down jammed up roads like the M6 just to get on a plane in the first place.
So just be grateful!
Rob Davies

Posted Thursday, February 13, 2003
As a life long resident of Sheldon I feel that we already have enough traffic through what is essentially a residential area. To expand the BIA would make no economic or environmental sense. When are the government going to be consistent about travel and pollution. No matter how big this airport gets the demand will just keep expanding. Let's hope that all right minded residents will speak out and say NO to this ridiculous plan.

Julie

Posted Monday, February 10, 2003
I don't think it's fair that people are going to have to move just so they can expand the already big airport.

Robyn (11)

Posted Wednesday, January 29, 2003
I'm only 9 years old but even I know that building a bigger runway is a bad idea.

Gurpreet

Posted Thursday, January 16, 2003
The 1984 redevelopment of BHX, although it massively improved facilities and capacity compared with the old Elmdon site, was actually very conservative compared to the growth that was foreseeable even then. This made it inevitable that sooner or later the bounds of the airport would have to be physically expanded and runways added/extended within 20-30 years; perhaps it might have been better to get it all over with back then whilst all the other work was going on and the tools were dirty, rather than spending all these years just putting the inevitable off. Precisely because it was clear to anyone who looked into the situation that one day the airport would eat up adjacent land, I find it hard to sympathise with anyone who has moved to the affected areas since the early 1980s. Of course, this doesn't apply to long term residents. The moral of the story is "never buy a house within about five miles of an airport."
James

Posted Monday, January 13, 2003
Are people still moving into the Catherine de Barnes area of Solihull? I have fallen in love with a house there and am now confused whether to go ahead or not.
Anon

Posted Tuesday, January 7, 2003
Over 20,000 signatures against the expansion of Elmdon Airport, (sorry, Birmingham International Airport) because it would affect the quality of life in the area for miles around with the noise pollution, sleep deprivation, children being disrupted in school and economic well-being cannot be wrong.

D. Davies

Posted Thursday, January 2, 2003
Why are important decisions taken as a result of the negative reactions of those who should be living on a remote island somewhere? Where is the channel for the 'YES' vote? Driving down to Heathrow, Gatwick etc. is stressful, and an unnecessary waste of energy!

Brian

Posted  Wednesday, December 18, 2002
The noise is unacceptable as it is, why did we ever move here?
We live directly under the flight path, occasionally I awake in the night or early hours to the roar of the planes going overhead and I get stressed at the utter disturbance to me in my own home, how dare they do that, I am at home in my own bed for gods sake. How dare you intrude to this degree
How can they consider that they can even be allowed do more to make it worse, its a totally unacceptable infliction of unpleasantness on other human beings. Surely this ought to be illegal.

L Gray

Posted  Sunday, December 8, 2002
Well its silly to think that peoples homes are a lot less important to everyone than a new runway will ultimately make more congestion
Mat

Posted  Monday, November 18, 2002
I would be very interested in where Lee Michael and the rest of the people who want the airport expanded live. If some of the proposals go ahead, where I live will no longer be quiet, it will be under a flight path. Birmingham Airport can already expand up to 31/2 times its customer base by not expanding. It can only take an extra 5 times the number of people by expanding, or at least this is what we are told at meetings. It is not just about Catherine-de-Barnes and Bickenhill it affects Elmdon Heath as well. It is also not a political debate about Tory v Labour v lib Dem, it is an argument between two councils who have argued about that plot of land for years, and unless you live in an area affected you would not understand how it feels to go from a safe environment to a potentially hazardous environment.
Marie

Posted Wednesday, November 6, 2002
Lots of interesting comments from people but I wonder if those people who say EXPAND actually live on the Catherine De Barnes side of Solihull. Let's be honest about this, Yes Solihull would benefit from the expansion with more jobs but we have such a low unemployment rate here anyway would the benefit really be felt. Any benefit Solihull would feel (small as it would be) would be at a massive cost to the Green belt, people health and noise pollution. If Birmingham is so keen on expanding the airport why not build it on BIRMINGHAM land and not Solihull land. Also people have made comments that if the expansion does not go ahead the existing Airport will die, come on do people really think that if the airport is not expanded then the powers that be will allow a facility currently valued at £900 Million to simply be allowed to rust away ?. The airport should be developed within it's current boundaries at no cost to local residents. People power will stop this development and thankfully (for once) Solihull council have listened to the views of the residents of Solihull.
Stuart (Lifetime Solihull Resident)

Posted Wednesday, November 6, 2002
Solihull does not say no! Many of us say yes and as soon as possible. Birmingham has got it right. the people of Solihull will not stand bye and let the Torie Solihull cabinet strangle the economy of our town any longer, they must be removed as they are a disgrace to democracy.
Lee Michael

Posted Wednesday, November 6, 2002
I think it would be a massive boost for the local economy and as a regular flyer it would make my personal live much easier. Bring it on.
Paul ... Life Long Silhillian

Posted Thursday, November 7, 2002
The Chamber of Commerce has been reported in the media that they support the expansion of Birmingham Airport and that Solihull Council should "get behind the development." I believe the Chamber does not understand the problems involved with relation to the environmental issues and more importantly the problems with traffic in the Borough. Solihull's roads cannot cope with the current traffic load, never mind the extra traffic an enlarged airport would generate.
Stuart Mason

Posted Wednesday, November 6, 2002
Lots of interesting comments from people but I wonder if those people who say EXPAND actually line on the Catherine De Barnes side of Solihull. Let's be honest about this, Yes Solihull would benefit from the expansion with more jobs but we have such a low unemployment rate here anyway would the benefit really be felt. Any benefit Solihull would feel (small as it would be) would be at a massive cost to the Green belt, people's health and noise pollution. If Birmingham is so keen on expanding the airport why not build it on BIRMINGHAM land and not Solihull land. Also people have made comments that if the expansion does not go ahead the existing Airport will die, come on do people really think that if the airport is not expanded then the powers that be will allow a facility currently valued at £900 Million to simply be allowed to rust away ?. The airport should be developed within it's current boundaries at no cost to local residents. People power will stop this development and thankfully (for once) Solihull council have listened to the views of the residents of Solihull.
Stuart (Lifetime Solihull Resident)

Posted Wednesday, November 6, 2002
Solihull does not say no, many of us say yes and as soon as possible. Birmingham has got it right. the people of Solihull will not stand bye and let the Tory Solihull cabinet strangle the economy of our town any longer, they must be removed as they are a disgrace to democracy.
Lee Michael

Posted Tuesday, November 5, 2002
I live quite near the airport and feel very concerned about the proposals that are being put forward. We moved to this area because it was peaceful with no danger of excessive pollution. After looking at the so called plans I was alarmed to see the extent of expansion that was being proposed so much green belt land, vast areas being swallowed up this will not be the Solihull we all love and are proud to be called Silhillians! Not to mention the damage done to the health of our children and the pollution this will entail.
Lyn And Rochelle

Posted Monday, November 4, 2002
Why is it that so many people are afraid of change? All these people that are moaning and saying NO to the expansion, I would bet my life that WHEN the expansion is complete all the MOANERS will use the airport at some point in there lives as it will be easier than travelling to Manchester, Gatwick or Heathrow. Think of the amount of jobs it will create for the people of Solihull. I have lived in Solihull all of my life 1971-present, there has been a lot of change since then and most of it for the better.
Phil Harrison

Posted Monday, November 4, 2002
I do not agree with proposed expansion of Birmingham airport.
Martin Smith

Posted Friday, November 1, 2002
I suggest everyone who reads this should go to the department of transport website and make their views heard. If you do not make this small effort then you cannot moan over a glass of wine and complain that no-one is prepared to listen. Make the effort and speak out.
Neil A. Bromley

Posted Friday, November 1, 2002
I note your interesting 'comment' on the page that includes our Press Release! 5 November was chosen as the only date when the Councillors could make - bearing in mind that there are two other meetings that had to take place prior to the 5th, fitting in with all the other meetings. Also, our understanding from both the Fire Service and Environmental Health Officers is that most people celebrate on the weekend closest to the 5th - rather than on the day it's self......
I'm pleased you found media wave so good. We have too, and hope all goes ok on the 5th.
I would welcome any feedback on the broadcast from your site - thanks for giving us a plug!
Richard Brooker
Communications -Strategic Services Directorate

Posted Thursday, October 31, 2002
I travel throughout Europe on business, and my experience is that small, local airports are far better for all. Queues and waits are shorter, finding your way is easier, the whole experience much less stressful. Certainly use BIA to full capacity, but investigate expanding Coventry, East Midlands, Wolverhampton and other small, local airports to supply demand.
Ian Deaville

Posted Tuesday, October 29, 2002 at 18:07:15
As a statistician that worked in the oil industry for over 20 years, I would like to know where the government believes they are going to get the aviation fuel to power all these flights? Oil is a finite commodity - surely it would be better to use this money to search for a less health damaging alternative fuel.
Pat

Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 04:56 pm:
I would like to echo Ian Sills remarks when he implies that the date for the meeting is a deliberate ploy to exclude some people. This is not an uncommon occurrence and should be noted. When the Council is proposing something, the people that it effects most are usually the people who feel they are not in a position to do something about it. Some people who feel strongly about the proposals may not truly appreciate the long term consequences that are apparent to others and so as a result do not forego other possible engagements for that random date.
To the blinkered fool who thinks that anyone with concerns for the airport proposals should move. If that attitude were taken seriously then where would everyone go? We could always live in the blocks of flats in his back garden. Or of course we could just use up all of our available agricultural land and build more houses. Then obviously we would need to import more and more foodstuffs and then need a bigger airport to get the produce in? Or perhaps widen the estuaries so that the worlds biggest tankers full of Argentinean beef could be delivered closer to your door. We could possibly drain Earlswood lakes and build a nice big distribution depot (to rival the worlds best of course) this would facilitate the transfer of goods direct to where it is needed. Mmmmmm I would suggest that we maintain our 'worlds best' airport we have in this country and develop a good public transport system that allows us to make better use of it.
Neil

Posted Thursday, October 24, 2002 at 12.01
A live web broadcast is great step towards the future of open government but the date and time of this meeting would lead anyone interested in conspiracy theories to believe that the council do not really want anyone to see or hear any part of the debate. Apart from Christmas and New Years Eve you would be hard pressed to come up with a date that would ensure that people would be occupied elsewhere!
November 5th at 7.00pm! Who's Idea was that?
Ian Sill - Editor Solihull Online

Posted Thursday, October 24, 2002 at 14:01
If Solihull & Birmingham is to continue to be a prosperous area we need the airport expansion to go ahead or Manchester and London will be only too happy to take the revenue from the all the good work the NEC, the NIA, Touchwood and the rest of Solihull & Birmingham have bought to the area in recent years thus jobs will go house prices will fall and everyone in the area will suffer because of it.
Ray

Posted Wednesday, October 23, 2002 at 22:01
Firstly may I say I feel very sorry for the people living in the villages near the proposed site for the Rugby Airport, I mean who wants an Airport built next door to them, but as much as it pains me to write this, didn't the people who actually bought houses in the Solihull area in the last 60 years think that the Airport would expand, you only have to look at anything in history to see things get bigger, Villages become Towns, Towns become Cities etc, so I say EXPAND BIRMINGHAM, because if you don't and you end up killing it then please don't think Solihull will continue to be a prosperous area because it won't.
Adam

Posted Tuesday, October 22, 2002 at 09:38
Progress dictates that BHX will have to expand, but on what basis is the point everyone needs to consider. A second runway means misery for many thousands, house prices affected and quality of life reduced. An extension to the existing facilities is the better of the 2 evils and I would accept this as inevitable. If the Government's estimated passenger numbers are anything like accurate then further expansion at East Midlands would help share the load on BHX. This means there will still be land loss but not to such an extent, but more importantly it means the motorway structure would cope better.
Solihull Council are currently spending money hiring venues all over the Borough to ask your views on how to make Solihull a good place to live - if BHX becomes another Heathrow they will have wasted their time and our money because Solihull will then never be a good place to live. Councillors sitting on the fence over BHX better make their minds up - Make Solihull a good place to live or to "hell" with it and it's people and grab as much revenue from the second Heathrow as they can!
Resident who loved Solihull before.........

Posted Saturday, October 19, 2002 at 21:57
I will probably regret this however here goes. I know some people who will be affected by the planned expansion & I feel very sorry indeed for them. However I also feel that any expansion can only benefit the area with increased jobs & more money flowing into the local economy.
Anybody that says different is wrong with a capital W. If the airport doesn't expand then it might as well be shut down as the major carriers who currently use the airport will simply transfer out & hey presto!! hundreds of jobs losses then the local papers will be filled with letters from the same people saying 'where have all the jobs gone?'  Wake up people. Yes houses will be lost, yes there will be some extra noise but, & its a big but, we need the expansion to make the region grow. People who live under the flight path at Heathrow (& I do know people who do) simply get used to it & don't bat an eyelid.
The airport has two choices really: Expand or die. Simple as that.
Ian

Posted Saturday, October 19, 2002 at 14:13
Solihull not Solihell
Sean Smith

Posted Saturday, October 19, 2002 at 11:03
I am concerned about the proposed new runway's proximity to schools and the M42/M6. I am also worried about the noise, extra traffic when the motorways are frequently congested (people would miss their flights?) and what it would mean to property prices. I am in favour of the airport being expanded, I am often frustrated by being unable to get a direct flight from BHX, and I think B'ham/West Midlands needs and deserves an international airport - it is however, very difficult to accept that the four options are the only viable ones. This is why I think expansion at East Midlands airport would be better and I think it's less residential in that area. Only half an hour's drive from Solihull ...
Liz

Posted Friday, October 18, 2002 at 08:51
Why do we need any bigger airports? Put the money into making the aeroplanes safer and air travel more secure from terrorists. I would prefer to pay more for my flight if I knew I was safer. After all they are expanding Stansted which is only 2hour drive from the Midlands, why spoil our countryside?
Georgina

Posted Wednesday, October 16, 2002 at 10:53
I can not believe that people local to the airport support the expansion proposals, perhaps it's a sign of the times that these people just don't care. As regards to the local economy expanding the airport won't bring that many jobs. If you are really worried about the prospects for the local economy why not get the local business community to explain why they are so poor at education + training and investment , as well as being obsessed with short-term operation. Expanding the airport will not change that, and until changes are made the local economy will suffer. Also what you have to remember is that airlines pay no tax on fuel which is a massive subsidy for their operations and equivalent to 2 pence off income tax - imagine what that could do for the local economy !
All in all it's just a poorly thought through proposal and like a number of other projects in the area will do little to improve anyone's' quality of life or economic well-being. I use the airport regularly and can see that it is in no way operating at full capacity. We all need to reject these proposals.
Pete Harcourt

Posted  Tuesday, October 15, 2002 at 13:47
People who cannot think of any good reason for the expansion - wake up. If the airport doesn't expand there is a possibility that it will relocate to a larger site elsewhere and close. Think of the 1000's of lost jobs in the area. Solihull needs to maintain the excellent economy it currently enjoys - the protests against the runway along with Land Rover being refused a rail track could lead to a very different Solihull than we enjoy now. Roll on runway 2, more choice & more jobs!
Local Solihull resident

Posted Tuesday, October 15, 2002 at 06:34
Hi, I don't know if I have the right to say so or not. I don't live in England but I like visiting it & especially BHX, I always find problems finding a flight to Birmingham, either no flights or uncomfortable time, that's why I strongly support the airport expansion as it would help tourists like me to come to Birmingham at any time & from anywhere over the globe
M.N.Adly

Posted on Monday, October 14, 2002 - 07:21
Don't like it then move. I live within the so called catchment, and cannot wait until we have an airport to match the worlds best.
Anonymous

Posted on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 06:53 pm:
What benefits are there with the new airport? i can think of a few . more asthma in the area, less history, more noise, less green belt , children being disrupted in school sounds great doesn't it !!!!!!!!
Stephen Bates

Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 02:36 pm:
I am opposed to the new runway, we moved from Marston Green, and until we did had not realised the amount of sleep deprivation and the level of background noise we were suffering. The affect on quality of life to neighbours is part of general planning considerations, why should BHX be any different.
Anonymous

Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 01:44 pm:
I am strongly opposed to any expansion of BHX. As far as I am concerned the choice/price of flights currently available is perfectly adequate. There can be no justification for destroying large areas of parkland and countryside, the negative impact on house prices or the huge increase in noise pollution.
Ian Homer

Posted on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 01:50 pm:
I personally can not make up my mind as to whether the expansion to BHX is a good thing or not. I do feel however to say that there are no good reason for it going ahead is clearly miss leading. I am sure just the increase in local jobs and the overall boast to the local economy has got to be advantageous. Also if some of the other options which are on the table where to go ahead, it could have a negative impact on flights to and from Birmingham and could result in the down grading or closure of BHX.
Stuart

Posted on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 10:19 pm:
I cannot think of one good reason why Birmingham airport should expand, there will be no benefits to anyone in the local area, the additional noise and pollution and other environmental damage far outweighs any good that could come of it.
Neil

Last Updated 30 April 2008

The consultation period on the governments paper that will decide the future of Birmingham Airport ends on the 30th of June. You can take part by completing the online questionnaire at
www.aviation.dft.gov.uk/consult/airconsult/midlands/index.htm and also comment on this website.

The report sets out four potential scenarios for the future of Birmingham Airport and sets these against demand projections. There are two sets of projections, one assuming expansions in the South East can be made to meet demand, the other assuming this is not achievable.

The four options are:

To leverage traffic into the existing runway to its absolute maximum, in which case the airport would cease to meet demand in the mid-2020s, earlier with insufficient additional capacity in the South East.

To build a further 'close' runway parallel to the existing one with one end about a half mile west of Bickenhill and the other near the existing freight terminal. This would not delay the exhaustion of capacity much beyond the above option.

To build a further 'wide' runway parallel to the existing one with one end very near Catherine de-Barnes village and the other in the middle of the current Hatchford Brook Golf Course. This would provide sufficient capacity into the 2030s, unless further expansion is not achieved in the South East.

To close Birmingham Airport in 2011 at the same time as a new West Midlands Airport opens between Coventry and Rugby with links to the M6, M45 and West Coast Mainline. This being the highest capacity option of all.

Options 2 and 3 require a substantial diversion of the A45, a new junction on the M42 for access and the total loss of Bickenhill Village.

Each Birmingham Airport development option will add noise in the skies, and significant traffic to the roads but business leaders have warned of drastic impact on the economy of the area should Birmingham Airport close.

Vote Passed to Oppose Airport Development
Posted Wednesday 6 November 2002
At a heated meeting of Solihull council last night, councillors voted to reject plans for a second runway at ELMDON airport. The majority took a different view to their counterparts at Birmingham council who support the expansion plans. Concerns over future employment were raised by a number of councillors representing the north of the borough however the effect on the local environment and transport. levels of traffic using the M42 were thought to outweigh any advantages of increased employment.

Earlier in the day an alternative option was put forward by the airport itself. These plans still include a runway extension, but suggest a shorter second runway. drastically reducing the number of houses to be needing to be demolished.

At an earlier all day meeting Solihull's 'Regeneration, Environment and Leisure Committee' voted to recommend that all of the government's plans for expansion of Birmingham Airport be thrown out.
The committee agreed that expansion would seriously affect the quality of life of local residents. However they believed that development should not be ruled out in the future but should be agreed within council policy.