HC Deb 17 June 2003 vol 407 cc104-5W
Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the proposed locations for holding stacks resulting from (a) a new close parallel runway, (b) a new wide spaced runway and (c) two new runways at Gatwick Airport. [119954]

Mr. Jamieson

The South East and East of England Regional Air Services study (SERAS) analysis has not attempted to identify proposed locations of holding stacks for any of the published consultation options. For all options, the SERAS noise appraisal required nominal aircraft departure and arrival routes to be drawn up.

If the air transport White Paper supports any option, and as part of any detailed design and project definition, additional work would be needed to optimise these routes and the air traffic control arrangements more generally.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the effect on the volume of traffic on(a) the M25, (b) the M23 and (c) other roads of (i) a new close parallel runway, (ii) a new wide spaced runway and (iii) two new runways at Gatwick Airport. [119955]

Mr. Jamieson

The South East and East of England Regional Air Services Study (SERAS) included an assessment of the type of road and rail infrastructure that would be needed both to connect the airport options to the strategic network and the type and scale of improvements that might be required on the strategic network.

The results of these appraisals for the Gatwick options are summarised in "The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East (second edition)" main consultation document, sections 8.16 to 8.20. Further details are contained in chapter 8.5 of the SERAS Stage Two Appraisal Findings report.

Copies of these documents are available in the Libraries of the House.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will commission an independent review of industry-funded research on air quality issues relating to his consultation on the future development of air transport in the South East. [119953]

Mr. Jamieson

Recent research into the air quality situation at Heathrow Airport is being published by British Airways and BAA plc as part of their responses to the Government's consultation on the future development of air transport in South East England. This new research will be assessed rigorously by the Government as part of the overall analysis of consultation responses.