The Progressive Aviation Group (PAG) 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 one 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 railThe 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.Source: Airportworld
Gravity always wins!