HC Deb 11 May 1951 vol 487 c265W
Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what was the average length of runways in use at main British civil airports in 1921, 1931, 1941 and 1951; what is the projected length for runways at Heathrow when completed; and what is the length of the Brabazon runway at Filton.

Mr. Beswick

In 1921 and 1931 there were no runways at British civil airports, and in 1941 the only runway in civil use was one of 3,000 ft. at Bristol (Whitchurch) airport. The average length or runways in use at the main airports in 1951 is about 5,000 ft. The lengths of the runways at London Airport will be:—

No. 1 … 9,300 ft. No. 5 … 9,600 ft.
No. 2 … 7,700 ft. No. 6 … 7,600 ft.
No. 4 … 5,800 ft. No. 7 … 6,300 ft.

The length of the Brabazon runway at Filton is 8,200 ft.