Revamp to shut Manchester Airport main runway at night for eight months

23.11.2010 (Manchester Evening News)
 
by Alice McKeegan
 

 
A £20m refurbishment of the main runway at Manchester Airport is to take place
next year – closing it at night for EIGHT months.

The huge programme of work to overhaul Runway One will run from January to September.

It is the biggest runway refurbishment since the airport opened in 1938 but bosses
say passengers will not be affected.

They insist the number of flights will not be cut, with night-time take-offs
and landings switched to Runway Two.

Planes are not normally allowed to land on the second runway between 10.30pm
and 6am but the airport has permission to use it for emergencies or maintenance.

Airport chiefs admit that the noise from night-time maintenance may cause disruption
to neighbouring communities but say they have consulted residents for almost two
years and insist the work is ‘vital’
.

Today, letters are being sent out to people in Knutsford, Mobberley, Heald Green
and parts of Wythenshawe to try to reassure them that efforts are being taken
to minimise disruption and noise pollution.

The original runway, currently in use 24 hours a day, was last resurfaced 14 years ago and now needs a full refurbishment to accommodate more modern and larger aircraft. The project will include resurfacing, rewiring and better lighting.

An airport spokesman said: "The airport is due to carry out a major refurbishment
of Runway One, the principal runway at Manchester Airport.

"The runway was last resurfaced during the winter of 1996.

"Every effort will be made to reduce the disruption and time taken to complete
the works."

The programme is due to start on January 4 and is expected to finish on September
16. Runway One will be shut between 9.30pm and 6am between Sundays and Thursdays.

In the letters sent to neighbours, the airport admits that the work could cause
disturbance.

It reads: "We are aware that night-time maintenance on the original runway can
cause disturbance to our neighbouring communities.

"Therefore we started our consultation for this project in January 2009, almost
two years in advance of the start date."
 
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