Press Release

Smith questions airport master plan

26/7/06

Margaret Smith, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh West, has welcomed the publication of the Edinburgh Airport Master Plan but has highlighted key questions which still need to be answered in relation to the Airport’s acquisition of the Royal Highland Showground site.

The plan deals with the expansion of Edinburgh Airport to meet BAA’s projected increase in demand up till the year 2030. It involves expanding the area covered by the airport to accommodate a second runway, an expanded terminal and other facilities, in line with the recommendations of the UK Government’s white paper, the Future of Air Transport. The expansion of Edinburgh airport is currently projected to utilise more than 73% of the RHASS’s land.

Ms Smith commented:

“I welcome the publication of the Master Plan and am pleased that BAA have acknowledged and acted on many of the points raised in the previous consultation.

“However, while the expansion of the airport is important to the city and Scottish economy I would still prefer to see efforts being made to improve the competitiveness of rail through a high speed rail link between Edinburgh and London to try to reduce domestic air flights. I don’t think we should simply accept the growth figures on which this expansion is based. Therefore, I accept that land should be safeguarded for a second runway but I remain sceptical that that second runway will be necessary.

“Meanwhile I will continue to highlight to BAA the ongoing impact the Airport has on communities such as Kirkliston, Cramond and Newbridge. I welcome the Airport’s recent efforts to fine airlines when certain noise levels are breached and applaud their efforts to engage with local communities through the establishment of a Noise Incident phone line.

“I remain committed also to supporting both a successful Edinburgh Airport and Royal Highland Showground. I want to see co-existence if possible but I will do all I can to see both organisations remain in West Edinburgh.

“However, even if the Show is forced to move by airport expansion, the Master Plan
still doesn’t answer the question of how any forced move of the Showground will be paid for, particularly when BAA doesn’t want the whole site but are effectively rendering the remaining area unusable. If there’s any question of taxpayers' money being used to finance this shift we must be absolutely sure that it’s totally necessary. The RHASS is currently conducting a feasibility study into various possible sites for relocation but any move would cost hundreds of millions pounds.

“The Master Plan also fails to answer the question of exactly what the Showground land will be used for. The majority of the RHASS land earmarked for the expansion has been allocated for ‘ancillary services’ – which includes long-stay car parks and hotels.

“These key questions need to be answered by BAA and by the UK Government Ministers responsible for the decision in the first place.”