15-12-04
Airport expansion must not be at expense of Highland Centre – Barrett
John Barrett,
Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today encouraged
the operators of Edinburgh Airport
to come up with a set of expansion plans which do not
jeopardise the future of events at the Royal Highland Centre,
which
attract 1.2 million visitors every year.
The UK Government’s “Future of Air Transport” White
Paper included plans to develop and expand Edinburgh Airport. However,
the plans also take in land currently occupied by the Royal
Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), which
runs, amongst other events, the Royal Highland Show.
The British Airport Authority (BAA), which operates Edinburgh
Airport, is expected to produce its master plan early in
the New
Year. That
plan is likely to confirm BAA’s desire to use land
used by the Society, including the Highland Centre exhibition
area, forcing the Society’s relocation.
John Barrett, whose Edinburgh West constituency includes
Edinburgh Airport and RHASS, has now tabled a parliamentary
motion calling on BAA, the Government and the Scottish
Executive to work together produce a set of proposals,
which would
allow the Society to remain at Ingliston.
Speaking after a meeting with Ray Jones, Chief Executive
of RHASS, Mr Barrett said:
“There is an overwhelming case for keeping the Society at
Ingliston, if on a modified site. The fact is the
Society makes an enormous contribution to the Lothian economy,
not
just through theHighlandShow, which has a proud 50 year
history at Ingliston but through countless other concerts,
conventions
and sporting events at theHighlandCentre.
“A huge amount of investment has now been made by RHASS in
terms of improving their ground. This, combined with
their future plans, will give Edinburgh and the East of
Scotland an attractive and modern exhibition centre. All
this could be lost if the Society was forced to relocate
and it
would be an expensive relocation at that. Estimated
costs vary but the figures I have seen have ranged from £95
million to potentially over £400 million.
“I am not one of those people who oppose the expansion of Edinburgh airport. The
airport makes a massive contribution to theEdinburgheconomy
in its own right. However, I believeEdinburgh Airport
benefits from having an exhibition centre so close, just
as RHASS
benefits from the transport links provided by Edinburgh
Airport and the proposed new rail link.”
“For once, I think it is possible forEdinburghto have its
cake and eat it. Having spoken to both the Chief
Executives of Edinburgh Airport and RHASS, I am convinced
that if all
sides work together, a set of proposals can be found
to allow for an expanded Edinburgh Airport but also allow
the Society
and its facilities to remain at Ingliston. As the Capital
City of Scotland, Edinburgh deserves nothing less.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
• Ray Jones, Chief Executive of the Royal Highland Society of Scotland
can be contacted at: 0131 335 6200.
• The Department of Transport’s White Paper on the Future of Air
Transport stated:
5.14 We have considered in some detail whether these plans (to expand Edinburgh Airport) would allow the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) site to remain in situ, possibly with modified boundaries, but still able to function effectively. This, however, would require development of the airport to be concentrated south east of the existing terminal facilities on land which is mostly in the ownership of the RHASS, rather than on land to the west. We have concluded that this would not be an appropriate long term development strategy for the airport because it will be important to:
maintain efficient use of the crosswind runway until the new close parallel runway is operational;
minimise the impact on existing passenger facilities to keep construction costs within viable limits;
minimise the number of gates and the extent of aircraft circulation dependent on the parallel taxiway serving the crosswind runway as this will reduce the potential for operational delays;
maintain active gates close to the main runway to reduce aircraft taxi time on the ground, limit fuel burn and therefore noise and emissions; and
maintain a balanced passenger facility providing equivalent walking distances for passengers using both of the main piers planned for the airport.
5.15 Our proposals would therefore require the relocation of the RHASS, by around 2013 (or earlier if that would be more suitable). The Scottish Executive will work with the Society, BAA and relevant local authorities to identify an alternative site for the Society and help facilitate their relocation.
• John Barrett has tabled a Early Day Motion, which states:
That this House is concerned by the plans contained in the Government's Future of Air Transport White Paper, which would require the relocation of the Royal Highland Agricultural society of Scotland's headquarters and showground at Ingliston as a result of the proposed expansion of Edinburgh Airport; values the immense contribution that the Highland Centre makes to the Lothian economy, attracting 1.2 million visitors and over £80 million every year; recognises that the Centre has not just provided 50 years of the Royal Highland Show but also accommodates a variety of special events throughout the year, including fairs, concerts, conventions and sporting events; is further concerned by the estimated costs of relocating the Centre, which vary between £95 million and over £400 million with further costs to the Edinburgh economy; and therefore calls on the UK Government, the Scottish Executive, British Airports Authority and others to work together to produce a set of proposals which will allow the Society to remain at its current Ingliston site.