HC Deb 12 November 1958 vol 595 cc369-71
18. Sir T. Moore

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether a decision has yet been reached regarding the alterations required to the Kilmarnock-Ayr road where it cuts through Prestwick Airport; and if he will make a statement.

19. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a further statement about the reconstruction of Prestwick Airport.

Mr. Watkinson

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, and I have had consultations with the various interests concerned on a number of aspects of the scheme. As the House knows, I have already decided to extend the main runway. There seems to be a general preference in favour of the Redbrae site for the new terminal area and I am prepared to accept this. As regards the present A.77 road, opinion is not unanimous. The simplest and, from the aviation point of view, the most satisfactory, plan would be to divert the road round the end of the extended runway. This was also the final view of the Scottish Aerodromes Board. This could be done without providing any greater obstacle to future extensions of the runway in this direction than would in any event be provided by the railway. Another alternative would be to construct a tunnel. But a tunnel on the line of the present road would mean a prolonged closure of the present runway and it is the general view that this would have a serious permanent effect on the airport's traffic. An alternative line for a tunnel some 1,500 feet north-west of the present road provides a route only slightly shorter than a road diversion. For these reasons, I have decided that the balance of advantages lies in favour of a road diversion.

Sir T. Moore

Is my right hon. Friend aware that my constituents and the local authorities in the area are deeply appreciative of the care and thought he has given to this very intricate problem? At the same time I do not know whom he has consulted. The consensus of local opinion and of those travelling along the Glasgow—Kilmarnock—Ayr road is that a tunnel is the only solution and that the re-routed road will not solve the traffic problem there?

Mr. Watkinson

We have been very carefully into this matter. I think it very natural and right that I should try to take the solution which seems to offer the best chance of Prestwick going on and expanding as one of the world's major international airports. I believe that interference with the runways at this stage might be a very dangerous thing for the future of Prestwick.

Mr. Rankin

Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that in reply to me on 2nd April he said that he then had the necessary finance and the necessary plans to go ahead with this development? Why, at the end of eight months, has nothing yet been done? Where did the obstruction lie? Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that the obstruction has now been removed? Secondly, can he now say how much money will be involved in the development he has outlined today?

Mr. Watkinson

In answer to the hon. Gentleman's first supplementary question, I would remind him that what I said was that we had the funds to go ahead with the development of the airport, and I have today announced a very extensive development plan, including a new terminal and extension of the runways for the big jets and so on, which I think the hon. Member wants. It is a little difficult to be precise as to the cost, but I should say that it will certainly be well over £2 million, and probably more.

Mr. Rankin

On a point of order. In view of the fact that there are many aspects still to be explored, I hope I shall have a chance of raising this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at an early date.