§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the(a) state of the runways at RAF Halton and (b) the future repair programme for the runways. [129276]
§ Mr. CaplinDuring the recent prolonged period of hot, dry weather experienced across the United Kingdom, a number of cracks developed in both of the primary grass runways at RAF Halton airfield. As a flight safety precaution, both runways have been closed and a single, temporary runway has been brought into use to allow limited flying to continue.
Specialists in the maintenance of grass airfields are being consulted to identify the options for returning the airfield to full availability and the future repair programme will be informed by their advice.