Closing runway gets a mixed reaction
Wednesday 17th March 2010, 11:30AM GMT.
PASSENGERS and local businesses find the prospect of airport closures concerning – but believe they are necessary.
That was the reaction of the majority spoken to yesterday.
It emerged this week that the airport could close for eight days in two-day stages for runway upgrading and airlines instantly rounded on the Public Services Department, demanding a change of plan.
Repairs are expected to start next year and take about two years.
Most of the work will be carried out overnight but reconstruction of the western end, runway crossings for surface water drains and excavation of material close to the landing strip will require the airport to close, PSD says.
While a passenger from Alderney said the work had to be done and would impact on some people, a businessman who asked not to be named thought it would cut Guernsey off.
Blue Islands and Healthspan Leisure head of marketing Trish Grover said any closure would be a concern for hoteliers. Healthspan Leisure runs the Fermain Valley, the Sunnycroft and Braye Beach in Alderney.
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It will clearly be a significant disruption but at least it will be scheduled so people can plan around it. The airport can be virtually closed for two days for fog and that is unscheduled.
I hope they take account of personal travel as well as business and don’t, say, close it at weekends when there may be more leisure travel. Business meetings etc can be planned around closures but weekends away (like for a friend’s wedding) can’t so easily.
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Dear Sir,
Please tell me I am not going completly mad as I am sure I read the airport will have to close for eight days.
I have been in the supply of equipment to contractors from all over the world who
very often have to work through the night
seven days a week.
So come on states wake up get the brain in gear and stop talking such utter rubbish.
I would be delighted to offer the states
contact company names.
G Hall
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Makes one pleased the local Brewery is privately owned that’s for sure eh..!!!!
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Valdubon
Don’t forget that it may still be foggy on days when the airport isn’t scheduled to close. A scheduled 2-day closure can then easily become a 5-day closure or even 7 days if it runs into a 2-day closure scheduled for the following week.
Overnight working is crucial. Any extra contracting costs arising will be more than offset by the economic loss to the island if the airport has to close for days at a time.
I can foresee big usage of commercial helicopters to ferry people to Jersey in order to enable them to connect with business flights.
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Flouquet & Co at PSD as competent as ever at running large projects! Why do we, the taxpayers of Guernsey, have to put up with these people. They are allowed to stumble from pathetic crisis to another, squandering millions in the process. Flouquet said he would go why hasn’t he? This is another Suez waiting to happen we need fresh blood at PSD.
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I rather think GP are seeking to create an issue out of what is clearly a non-issue here. Not knowing the merits or non-merits of the technical facts that might necessitate the runway closure , all I can say is what a pathetic business community we must have here if such a closure and minor matter, causes so much hand wringing! Given the very long notice ,even the most incompetent organisation can surely plan that far ahead – after all what do they do when we are fogged in- often for more than a day and usually at a moment’s notice? If it’s that crucial, then use the ferry for heaven’s sake-no doubt they will double the fares though – often more reliable and no less time- wasting than the frequent flight delays and feeble service we have to put up with. In other words , stop moaning over such a trivial matter , what is wrong with you all ?!
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