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War in the woods: a history of runway 2 |
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Take to the trees: a protester in Arthur's Wood |
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Ten
years ago, plans for a second runway were first discussed. What followed
was a long battle by eco-warriors to save ancient woodland in the
Bollin Valley. We present a history of Runway 2, and the environmental
protests to stop it. |
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Summer
1991: Manchester Airport reveals plans for a second runway to
keep up with growth in air traffic. Completion date set for 1998.
Airport says it will create 50,000 new jobs. Cost put at £36m.
December 1991: Hundreds of protesters lobby meeting of Airport
board to decide site. Demonstrators claim it will damage environment.
The board prefers the Mobberley option.
November 1992: Three options now being considered. Furore over
a new 'V-shape' option which would run from the end of the existing
runway through Cheshire farmland close to the village of Ashley.
05 March 1993: HM the Queen opens the £265m Terminal Two. 1997:
Building begins on Runway 2
31 March 1993: Final decision taken. Airport Board goes for
the original option parellel to existing runway. Outcry in Mobberley.
July 1996: Public inquiry gets underway. Giving evidence against are
MAJAG, the Manchester Airport Joint Action Group; the former hostage
Terry Waite; and Liverpool Airport. The hearing lasts 101 days.
January 15, 1997: The Transport and Environment Secretaries,
Sir George Young and John Gummer announce to the Commons that Manchester's
second runway CAN go ahead. Cost now put at £172m. The first protesters
set up Flywood camp in Hooksbank Wood.
January 24, 1997: An activist known as 'Swampy' becomes national
celebrity for record-breaking week-long protest in underground tunnel.
June 1997: Demonstrations continue. Final underground protester evicted
after 17 days in the Cakehole tunnel.
December 1998: Manchester Airport pledges to relocate protected
species such as badgers, bats and newts.
January 1999: New protest begins at Cedar's Wood and Arthur's
Wood in the Bollin Valley, both owned by the National Trust. They
try to stop lopping of trees near runway. June 1999: Appeal court
judges rule that activists can be evicted as trespassers by the National
Trust. The Trust is accused of bowing down to the developers.
September 1999: Clashes between protesters and bailiffs as
Cedar's Wood is cleared. Forty 'eco-warriors' remain at Arthur's Wood
chained to tree-top perches and in a network of underground tunnels.
One by one they are removed.
October 1999: Two tunnel protesters dig in despite fears for
their safety. Disco Dave ends his demonstration after 3 weeks underground
as camp begins to cave in.
August 2000: Site handed over by contractors.
February 2001: Runway 2 opens for business.
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