Why?
The government has predicted that the number of people using the airlines will increase by around 200 million passengers a year.

A report, commissioned by the government, called SERAS, proposed various airport expansion schemes across the country. This includes Luton and Stansted airports which directly affect the residents of Beds, Herts and Bucks.

Options considered
Luton Borough Council support the expansion of Luton Airport.

However, they had to make a decision on which of three proposals they were going to adopt. They are build a new parallel runway, realign the runway or extend the existing runway.

Second runway This option has a new 3000m runway built 200m to the south of, and parallel to, the present runway. The latter would be retained to form a parallel taxiway. Supporting facilities would be provided to the north of the existing runway. Cost: £1.7 billion

 

Re-aligned runway A 3,000m realigned runway situated towards the north of the current runway, extending over farmland and occasional properties. Cost: £1.7 billion

 

Extended existing runway A 3,000m extended runway situated to the north-east of the current runway. Cost: £800 million.

Decision
On the 19 November 2002, Luton Borough Council voted to suggest to the government that if they are to go ahead with the expansion, then the best way forward would be a re-aligned runway.

Benefits
- A great economic boost to Luton with international companies locating in the town. It is predicted that around 5,000 jobs will be created.
- LBC say that this option is the one with the least noise pollution affecting Luton residents.
- A wider choice for tourists.

Disadvantages
- Loss of some green belt land.
- There will still be noise pollution even though this one will have the least effect.
- Wigmore Valley Park and Century Park will no longer exist and there are question marks over two Grade II listed buildings.

Airport's own plan

In early December, the London Luton Airport published their own proposals for the development of the airport. In addition to the three ideas proposed in the SERAS report, the airport published details of a road and rail link between Luton and Stevenage, which would connect the A1 and M1 and the East Coast and Midland Mainline railways.

Have your say on the Luton Airport expansion >>

Emily, Peters Green	Monday, 01-Sep-2003 14:30:12 BST
I am disgusted at this proposal. It will kill wildlife and destroy the countryside. If we keep building over the countryside in 10 years time the whole of England will be a pollution pit.

Yvonne Sartain, Leighton Buzzard	Tuesday, 29-Apr-2003 15:35:05 GMT
fantastic idea. The area needs the jobs!