APPENDIX 5
Memorandum submitted by Antrim Borough
Council
Antrim Borough Council welcomes the opportunity
to contribute to the inquiry into Air Transport Services in Northern
Ireland. It is acknowledged that this is a very complex matter.
However, it has been agreed by Council to contribute to the inquiry
and a few matters of general considerations are noted below.
The Council would commend the recent performance
of airport management in developing the range of international
destinations available. This is a very positive contribution to
the social and economic well-being of the region.
There is a need, not least in the interests
of equity, within the developing community of Northern Ireland
to ensure that access to services and opportunities are no more
difficult than for other parts of the UK. In particular air travel
and access to it can play an important role in supporting social
and economic development within the region. Existing as a peripheral
region of the UK, and indeed Europe, Northern Ireland has to address
certain difficulties or constraints that can add costs to doing
business in an international marketplace. Improved accessibility
to affordable air travel can help address some of the more negative
factors for business and the wider community.
Increased physical capacity should be primarily
focused on Belfast International Airport given its current location,
land availability, planning designation and positive environmental
attributes. Support for route development should continue only
in circumstances where it contributes to the growth in air travel
in the medium- to long-term. It should not be continued if it
results in dilution of capacity as this could be counterproductive
in the long run. Continued development of more international destinations
from Belfast International Airport can also contribute positively
to UK air travel generally by relieving pressure on other main
hubs such as Heathrow.
Given that air travel must have a reasonably
well defined growth ceiling for Northern Ireland, largely due
to population size, it would appear to be more effective to optimise
growth potential by creating the most attractive facilities and
travel experience at one main centre. To do otherwise may dilute
concentration of effort with consequentially reduced socio-economic
impact and under achievement for the region as a whole. Growth
at Belfast International Airport therefore would seem to be the
most sustainable, medium- to long-term option for Northern Ireland
air travel.
In developing air travel facilities, regard
should be given to the needs of supporting infrastructure for
modern travel. Integrated transport arrangements should provide
for increased capacity, comfort and accessibility. This may require
upgrading road links to dual carriageways or motorways servicing
main urban centres, specifically the greater Belfast area. It
may also be necessary to improve direct rail links to Belfast
and the northwest. Steps should be taken to increase the priority
given to upgrading existing road links currently on the reserve
list in the Department of Regional Development 10-year plan. To
improve the supporting infrastructure is particularly important
if Belfast International Airport is to be able to compete with
Dublin airport, which has become more attractive due to improvements
in its supporting infrastructure and consequential reduction in
travel times.
30 September 2004
| 
