Southend Airport progress?

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Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 1,001

I find it difficult to believe that the airport's current owners are going to get their money back on this project. Still, it's their money not mine!

Regards

Can you really see the likes of Stobarts backing a dead horse?

Natrally its going to take a while to get their money back but with two airlines Flybe & Aer Arann already taking bookins (Jersey & Ireland) and anothe rairline looking at starting a service to main land Europe thins are looking up for the airport.

With the 2012 games just around the corner the airport will hopefully pick up some of the extra traffic, even more so should LCA be closed for any reason.

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 1,001

Southend Airports new terminal today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/Southendnick/Southend%20Airport/terminal.jpg
Bit tricky to photograph because of the security boards that are up.

On the planning aplication front the protester that applyied for a JR has gone for an apeal with will be in the form of a 10-20min oral heating infront of a new judge and it will still be supported by legal aid :mad:

If this fails they will have another apeal chance again probably on legal aid :mad::mad:

The protester are demanding restriant on behalf of the Council & Stobarts and stop all work until after all apeals are spent...

Work continues on the new access road :D

As a footnote Southend Airport will be closed to all traffic
8:00pm Friday 4th March--8:00am Monday 7th March
8:00pm Friday 11th March--8:00am Monday 14th March
8:00pm Friday 18th March --8:00am Monday 21st March

This is so that the runway can be resurfaced.

Member for

13 years 5 months

Posts: 9

Many thanks

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 1,001

The latest news from Southend is not good,

The Secretary of State for Transport, Philip Hammond, has called a Public Inquiry into the "Stopping Up" of Eastwoodbury Lane.

The term stopping up is a term always used by the protest group who refuse to acknowledge that it is actually being diverted and improved to take out the sharp blind bends and improve traffic flow and pedestrian access along it.

The church at the end of the runway needs to have 38m of its wall dismantled and replaced with a 3m high fragable fence and a bush (the wall is a few foot high) the dismantled wall will be used in another section of the church grounds, the church car park will be re-surfaced new lighting installed and the drainage sorted out, the section of the re-diverted Eastwoodbury Lane out the front of the church would then be fenced in and gated and gifted to the church who would had the keys to the gate, this will give the church its own area for weddings and funerals to be conducted in private without heavy traffic going past, whilst the official of the church have not made any complaints the diocese have received a number of letters of objection so a special meeting has had to be arranged for them to put their views across.

The airport and church have been talking to each other for a number of years and both agreed to these changes, it is only the letters of objection that has prompted this issue.

Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 44

I think we're talking about a two day Public Inquiry here which will consider only the need for the stopping-up and will not be a lengthy procedure. My information is it will be held in May with the result being announced three months later, so it shouldn't delay things very much.

The runway resurfacing is proceeding well this weekend and will be completed during two further 3-day closure periods over the next two weekends.

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 1,001

A few snaps from a very quite Southend today of the latest progress.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/Southendnick/Southend%20Airport/Dscf9742.jpg
The Eastern Taxiway! yes that pile of rubble is part of the easten taxiway if you are unfamiliar with the layout its the taxiway that runs up by the railway lines to the Vulcan Restoration Trust dispersal pan, the digging up is only happening infront of the new terminal this will be becomming the terminal's apron.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/Southendnick/Southend%20Airport/Dscf9741.jpg
The Old and the New, the New tower is now working, the old tower in the back ground (with hospital behind) will probably be demolished. Would be nice to see it preserved as a visitor centre would be a superb viewing gallery, put an exhibition detailing the histor yof the airport in it or thats what I woould do anyway.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/Southendnick/Southend%20Airport/Dscf9750.jpg
The runway works are well underway, the airport closed at 8:00pm Friday and will remain closed until 8:00am Monday, it is hoped that all works will be completed over three full weekend closures.

Taken from a delta shape step ladder ;)

Member for

19 years 3 months

Posts: 46

Just a couple of corrections to O.F.'s post - Opening time is 1200 Monday (as in the NOTAMS!). New Control Tower is NOT yet in use.

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 1,001

The tower was said to be open by the Bleeping Echo... but that is the paper that thinks a B52 is a WW2 bomber!

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 1,001

Got man flu a head ache and the cat just puked over the bed but...

The full Southend Council tonight voted on changes to the lease of the airport the vote was for the following changes to the operating lease.

A total of 120 (down from 915) night flight per month all QC aircraft that were originally going to be exempt will now be included in the quota count (max of four flights a night roughly)

Noise limitations will be implemented aircraft breaking the limits will receive fines paid into a local fund.

There will be no passenger flight during the night (cant remember the exact times but its something like 11:00pm-6:00am)

All helicopter traffic will be banned at night with exceptions for Police, Air Ambulance and SAR flights,

Result
39 FOR,
4 AGAINST,
2 NO VOTES
1 ABSTAINED

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 1,001

New lease vs Old Lease...

The final round of meetings for the agreement of the new operating lease for Southend airport has been given the final seal of approval from councillors.

The final full council meeting saw members vote to approve the lease, by 39 votes to four. All the opposition votes were cast by Lib Dem councillors, who had demanded for a full night closure of the airport.

New Lease vs Old Lease

Night flights - limit of up to 30 movements per month (4 per night)
limit of up to 915 movements per month (30 per night)

Night flights – limited to aircraft with noise quota of 1 or below and no helicopters (except emergency services)
no controls

Night flights – runway preference arrangement so that landings and take offs to north east except where unsafe
no controls

Night flights – passenger flights prohibited after 23.30
no controls

Night flights – night defined as 23.00 to 06.30
night defined as 23.59 – 06.00

Total flight movements – cap 53,500 pa
no cap

Cargo/freight – limited to 10% of flight movements
no cap

Over 50% of all flight movements each year to/from north east and in particular the noisier landing flights
no controls

Provision of a new(2nd) instrument landing system allowing safer and steeper take off and landing (for 06 landings)
no new landing system

Engine testing – improved restrictions and controls
less restrictive controls

Noise – tough new limits
outdated noise controls

New penalty fines scheme for breaking limits
No penaltys in place at present.

Improved noise monitoring, air quality monitoring and carbon and environmental management plan

Installation of a secondary surveillance radar to ensure reliable data on flight movements for enforcement purposes
no secondary surveillance radar

Member for

18 years 6 months

Posts: 2,343

Surprised there has been no official news on the start of the Aer Arran flights, which happened on Sunday 27th...not even on their own website as there is still only the original press release from January announcing that they will begin at the end of the March!

Surely the launch day of a new route is an occasion worth celebrating...?

Anyone know if anything special was done at the airport for the people who were on the inaugrial flight/s at all?

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 1,001

A champagne reception for arriving and deprting passengers, the local Irish dance group put on a show in full traditional dress, the there was an arch of water salute from the fire crews. However the anti's have been moaning about the deafing noise of the ATR42 & ATR72's being used. I was right under one on take off the following Cessna 172 made more noise! Apparently 10000 tickets had been sold even BEFORE flights started!

Member for

18 years 4 months

Posts: 439

Thank you so much.

I used to live in Warners Bridge Chase back in the late 60s and I'm now in Surrey and am rather housebound, it would mean a lot to me.

Much obliged.

Must have known you, Raveswood Chase for me in the 60`s, just a few hundred yards away. :)

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 1,001

The aplication for a Judical Review by a Leigh-on-Sea woman has today been rejected by the High Court.

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/8966608.Legal_challenge_to_Southend_Airport_runway_extension_fails/?ref=ec

However there is still yet another right to appeal!

There are also a number of other legal issues pending;

Church Wall: A hearing is due about the removal of a section of the church wall with it being replaced by a fence and yew hedge the Church have said they are happy for the works but people have complained to teh Diosice of Essex who have orderd a hearing.

Second Judical reviw application: A second aplication of a Judicial review has been lodged.

Eastwoodberry Lane "stoppigng up" A public inqury has been called into the closing of Eastwoodberry Lane, a replacement is being constructed.

Member for

13 years 5 months

Posts: 9

Must have known you, Raveswood Chase for me in the 60`s, just a few hundred yards away. :)

Did know of two brothers back then, one was Roger, but that was in King Henry's Drive/Rd. Lived there b4 Warners. Lived with my great Aunt and Uncle whos name was Ashbolt.

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 1,001

The long running saga of the extention of the runway at Southend Airport is heading to Europe!

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/southend/8979584.Anti_airport_campaign_goes_to_Europe/

The full article go's on to state that the European Parliament Petitions Department have got ZERO powers over UK courts or Government policy.

If you read them comments most of the 3000 who signed the petition are not even local to Southend!

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 1,001

The airport protesters have gone to appeal (again) after being refused permission for a Judicial Review into the runway extension at Southend Airport.

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 1,001

Station Update:

The latest timetable for the National Express East Anglia (NXEA) Southend-Liverpool Street has just been published on the NEXA website they are due to start on 22nd May Southend Airport is actually listed!

http://www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com/travel_information/train_timetables/may_2011_timetable

(Timetable No3) they are PDF format so you will need a reader to view them.

Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 44

Southend

An Easyjet A319 visited SEN this morning for a photo shoot, for which two Eddie Stobart lorries were parked next to the aircraft.

Perhaps an announcment can be expected soon for routes commencing Spring 2012, after completion of the runway extension.