Supplementary memorandum submitted by
Stop Eglington Airport Evictions
After hearing the evidence to the inquiry at
City of Derry Airport on 30 November Stop Eglinton Airport Evictions
wish to comment on some further points as follows;
Q146
In relation to the number of objectors Kieran
O'Brien produced a list of signatures representing 13 properties
that Derry City Council propose to purchase in whole or in part
for the runway extension project. This list is enclosed (App 1).
It would be preferred if this list could be kept confidential
and not released to the public, press or to Derry City Council.
The reason for this is that some residents may already feel stressed
by the threat from the proposed expansion and do not wish their
objection to be used by the Council in any way that could heighten
these feelings any further.
Q171
In this question about the operating deficit
Mr Kerr said that his feeling was that the Council could no longer
"continue to shoulder that type of expenditure" and
also stated "we do not get any money from Ryanair".
These statements add some weight to many of the questions posed
by Stop Eglinton Airport Evictions.
Q205
Mr Kerr stated that Derry City Council had organised
public meetings. There is no evidence that any such meetings were
ever held. As far as Stop Eglinton Airport Evictions are aware
the contact between residents and council was as follows.
A hand delivered letter signed by the airport
manager on 17 October 2003 stating that the airport sub-committee
had decided on 16 October to extend the airport in a westerly
direction. This letter was delivered some hours after BBC Radio
had broadcast the decision.
After verbal and written requests two representatives
were allowed to address the full council meeting on 23 October
a which the council confirmed the decision of the sub-committee
of the 16. This opportunity to address the council consisted of
a short formal address. No questions were permitted and no discussion
was entered into. The residents at this stage were not in possession
of any written evidence such as technical and financial reports.
This was an official Council meeting, public were permitted to
sit in the public gallery and it was open to the press, as is
the case at many council meetings. This could in no way be described
as a public meeting.
On 24 October a meeting was held at the airport
chaired by Mr Devine the airport manager with Mr Donald Robertson
and a secretary in attendance. No senior council officials or
any elected representatives attended. The meeting gradually descended
into chaos and eventually was abandoned. The notes of the meeting
as circulated by Derry City Council are enclosed (App 2), as is
a further copy of the errors and omissions in these notes as agreed
by Stop Eglinton Airport Evictions. These corrections were sent
to Derry City Council but they did not circulate amended copies.
On 10 November a meeting was held in the airport
and again chaired by Mr Devine with representatives from the Valuation
and Land Agency in attendance. Again no senior council personnel
or elected councilors attended and only facts on valuation matters
were presented.
A public meeting was held in Eglinton Village
community hall on 18 November 2003. The airport committee chairman
was asked to attend or to send a representative but refused. A
press copy making reference to council's non-attendance is enclosed
(App 3).
A further public meeting was held in the Central
Library, Foyle Street on 4 February, again the council failed
to make anyone available. Press copy of Mr Hay's refusal to attend
is enclosed (App 4).
Various letters have been received from the
council with no important substance usually informing residents
that a decision will be due shortly.
Q203
At the full council meeting on 23 October 2003
the consultant's reports were not all completed. The PWC financial
appraisal was not presented until January 2004. A letter from
the Chief Executive confirming this is attached. (App 5).
Q187-190
Bearing in mind that a major runway and safety
project was carried out in 1999 it appears strange that one-third
of the present runway is not useable due to obstructions that
were already there prior to 1999.
In relation to safety improvements little evidence
appears to exist that the CAA have demanded further extensions
to the airport boundary for safety reasons. The CAA made no mention
of this issue in their evidence to this inquiry on 10 November.
As you will see from the residents meeting notes
(App 2) the "leading aviation expert" Donald Robertson
confirmed on 24 October that extended RESA was simply a recommendation
not a requirement.
In relation to the houses causing the obstruction
no new houses have been built since 1999 or indeed since 1994
when previous works were carried out by the airport authority.
The question needs to be asked why previous extensions using public
funding were undertaken when part of the completed project appears
to be unusable. Another important fact is that the investigation
on the 1999 extension by John O'Hara QC on behalf of Casey &
Co solicitors (December 2002) may not have been aware of the fact
that part of the newly completed runway was unusable. The report
concludes that the project was a success and its continued use
was a vindication of the project. It is not known at this stage
if the government auditor was in possession of these facts either.
Q209
Mr Devine stated that the runway would not require
any further strengthening however the "leading aviation expert"
he refers to clearly states the opposite in section 3.3.1 of the
Donald Robertson technical review.
Q177-178
Mr O'Doherty apparently supporting the private
sector becoming involved states (Q126) that the airport could
"optimistically hit 800,000 passengers" although Mr
Devine states, "You need around one million passengers to
cover operating costs." Previously, he admitted that the
success of the airport would depend on commercial activities,
apparently something similar to a real-estate business. Some homeowners
are concerned that Derry City Council may try to use vesting powers
to obtain land for an airport that could later be transferred
to the private sector. The statement in question 177, "The
interest relates to the land associated with the airport",
adds further cause for concern.
Q171
In relation to the operating deficit of £1.3
million, page 24 of the most recent audited accounts (App 6) gives
the net cost of service provision to be £3.26 million.
Q175
No member of this group was aware of the setting
up of the shadow company or what individuals make up this company.
We are also unsure of what exactly happens to the land when "legislation
catches up with us".
Q182-183
As far as we are aware the EU has not looked
at the City of Derry/Ryanair case, as they will only examine individual
cases if they are brought to their attention. Possibly they are
not aware of this case at the moment. In light of Mr Kerr's statement
(Q171) "We do not get any money from Ryanair", then
the answer to Mr Bailey's question should probably have been "yes
it would have profound consequences."
Q194-195
This brings to light the doubt over the long-term
viability of the airport. At present, we understand there are
daily scheduled services to six destinations and five of these
are currently subsidised in some form.
— Manchester—Route Development
Fund
— Birmingham—Route Development
Fund
— Glasgow/Preswick—Airports Start-Up
Discount Scheme
— Stansted/Ryanair—"We do
not get any money from Ryanair"
Is any evidence available to prove how viable
these routes would be in a normal commercial operation?
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