Stansted airport transport expansion plans announced

(01 March 2007)

Plans for new £1bn road and rail links to an expanded Stansted airport
were unveiled on 27 February, a month after Stansted Airport bosses revealed proposals to extend the airport with a second runway.

Airport operator BAA launched a public consultation on
proposals for road and rail access to the airport to serve the second runway, which could open in 2015.

The Surface Access Strategy proposals for the Essex airport include longer trains to meet increased passenger demands, new and improved coach and bus services, and local road diversions to maintain connections between communities around the extended airport boundary.

As part of the strategy, the Highways Agency is also consulting on
proposals to widen the M11 south of Stansted between the M25 at Junction 6 and the airport at Junction 8, and on plans to improve airport access from the M11 and the A120.

A series of public exhibitions will be held in towns and villages near the airport to give local people the opportunity to view the proposals and meet with transport experts. The public exhibition can also be viewed online (website: www.stanstedairport.com/future).