§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government52W have asked the British Airports Authority to examine the feasibility of adding an extra runway to Southampton Airport; and if he will make a statement. [151674]
Mr. Robert AinsworthAs part of the ongoing South East and East of England Regional Air Services (SERAS) study we asked BAA and other operators of major airports to provide technical assistance to the Department's consultants who are preparing possible options for development of airports to serve the study area. This work by the airport operators is subject to audit by the Department's consultants. The appraisal of the options, in line with the published framework, is being carried out entirely by our consultants.
We are currently appraising a very large number of options and will proceed through successive sifts to narrow down these options to a final shortlist, on which there will be a full public consultation before Ministers come to decisions. The published terms of reference clearly indicate that the study should consider both scenarios incorporating additional capacity and no additional capacity, and should consider both terminal capacity and runway capacity.
In advance of the consultation, it would be premature to comment on the status of any specific option. Releasing information in the early stages of a possible project, in advance of final options, could result in unnecessary and lengthy blight, as well as multiplying uncertainty and anxiety. This approach is consistent with my Department's Code of Practice on the Dissemination of Information during Major Infrastructure Developments.