Controversial runway to open at Sywell aerodrome
The controversial new hard runway at Sywell Aerodrome is due to be opened in the next few months.
Plans for the 1,000-metre runway were first unveiled by bosses at the aerodrome 10 years ago, but were met with immediate opposition from a number of people living nearby, who opposed the increase in flights which would be generated by the new facility.
But permission for the hard runway was granted in April last year and plans are now being put in place to open it during the summer.
A spokesman for the aerodrome said: "It won't be licensed until June or July so we're hoping to get an open day ready for then."
The creation of the new runway will allow the aerodrome to operate in both wet and dry weather.
When initial plans for the facility were unveiled in 1999, it was thought the new facility would generate 75,000 aircraft movements.
But in April last year, the aerodrome was given permission to boost the figure to 84,200 movements.
The nine-year delay in getting permission to build the hard runway has also seen the cost of the development increase rapidly.
Early estimates in 1999 suggested the cost would be about 1 million, but due to legal costs and increases in the cost of raw materials, the cost of the scheme was estimated to be closer to 3 million when work on the development began last year.
Before the new runway is officially opened, the museum at Sywell will be re-opened for the 2009 season on April 11.
World War Two vehicles and the Pitsford Home Guard will appear at the centre on the day.
The museum will then be open every weekend and bank holiday until the end of September from 10.30am until 4.30pm.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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