More random ideas for hub location. Two separate sites in Oxfordshire. Anyone else want to toss in an idea?

The Progressive Aviation Group (PAG)  [ must be a joke – no mention of them on the internet anywhere, and they have no website] has suggested two possible sites to the Airports Commission, which is currently investigating how the UK should expand its aviation capacity. Their two sites are the military base, RAF Croughton, which some 14 miles or so north of central Oxford; and the Steventon area, which is a mile or so south west of Abingdon, and some 9 miles south west of central Oxford. David Cameron’s constituency is Witney, which is a few miles west of Oxford, so very much in the firing line of either of these proposals. The Progressive Aviation Group, if it exists, give no details of their plans other than the location, but it is said they are submitting their ideas to the Airports Commission.

[Probably a wind up !!] 

UK AIRPORT EXPANSION: TWO NEW SITES SUGGESTED FOR NEW HUB

 17.1.2013 (Airport World)

Proposals for two new hub airport sites in the UK have been put forward by business experts.

The Progressive Aviation Group (PAG)  [ must be a joke – no mention of them on the internet anywhere, and they have no website] has suggested two possible sites to the Airports Commission, which is currently investigating how the UK should expand its aviation capacity.

The independent airports inquiry, which was set up late last year, will look at whether a third runway at London Heathrow would be the best option for the UK; if a new hub airport should be built; or whether other airports such as Gatwick and Stansted could be expanded.

So far, the main contenders for a new hub have been off shore sites, such as the Thames Estuary and the east coast of Kent.

Now the PAG has put forward two inland sites, which it believes would be suitable for development.

These are the military base, RAF Croughton, on the Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire borders; and the Steventon area, west of Didcot, in Oxfordshire.

RAF Croughton is about 6-8 miles from RAF Upper Heyford.  There is a map showing its location at   Map    It is not an airfield, and does not have a runway. It is some 14 miles north of central Oxford, and 

Steventon is a mile or two south west of Abingdon, and near Didcot.  Map  and some 9 miles south west of central Oxford.  Not a very suitable location for a mega airport.
steventon

[]David Cameron’s constiutency is Witney.  Map  A few miles west of Oxford. He lives in Chipping Norton, which is some 16 – 18 miles west of the proposed site at RAF Croughton   Map  ]

Steventon in Oxfordshire is one site which is being considered

RAF Croughton is another possible site for a new hub

The group looked at sites which:

– meet noise and environmental standards
– have a three-mile by three-mile area, capable of taking four runways
– have good access to rail and road links
– have a 30-minute target journey time to London by rail

The UK Government launched an independent inquiry into the UK’s airport capacity issues in November 2012.

Options include a new four runway hub; or expansion at Heathrow.

The London Mayor, Boris Johnson, favours a new hub, although he has also said he would support expansion at Stansted.

Gatwick is not permitted to build a second runway until after 2019. Meanwhile, Heathrow bosses have said they will consider expanding to three or four runways.

 

http://www.airport-world.com/news-articles/item/2236-uk-airport-expansion-two-new-sites-suggested-for-new-hub