20.04.08
A young aviation enthusiast has launched a campaign group to support the expansion of Bristol Airport. The airport is to submit plans to North Somerset Council this summer over proposals to raise passenger numbers from 6 million to 9 million a year by 2015. This has received strong criticism from campaign groups and some residents, who fear the airport's expansion will result in too much traffic, cause misery for residents and have a detrimental effect on climate change.
But Daniel Hobbs, who is 18, feels there is too much negativity around the proposed £80m development planes. He says that the benefits of expansion far outweigh the negatives, and it is a crucial scheme to take Bristol forward in the 21st century.
He feels that future generations will reap rewards from having an airport that puts Bristol firmly on the map as an international tourist and business destination, and has formed a group called Bristol International Supporters Online (Bison), which has a website at www.biagrouponline.co.uk.
Since the website went live 2 weeks ago, it has had more than 2000 hits and Mr Hobbs has recruited over 30 members to the group, made up of other aviation enthusiasts and staff from Bristol Airport, who are keen to see new jobs brought to the area.
He said: ‘The airport is a service for everybody and I can't understand why it's always being put down. In reality there are only a few people who will be affected by its expansion, but lots who will benefit from it.'
‘Flights aren't going to increase that much in terms of numbers, it's just that the planes will be bigger and carry more people. But they are cleaner and quieter now, so I don't think people are going to notice much difference in terms of noise. I want to encourage people to show support for the airport and we will back them all the way with this application.’
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