Call to ensure Blackpool Airport runway stays open

The second runway at the council-owned air hub on Squires Gate Lane has been shut to enable essential maintenance work to be carried out, leaving all flights to use the main runway.

Coun Don Clapham, deputy leader of the Conservative group on the council, told a meeting of the full council it was vital the landing strip was back in action as soon as possible.

He also asked to see a report which has been written setting out the condition of the runway, and warned against losing the facility to allow further development of the Airport Enterprise Zone.

Speaking after the meeting he said: “This runway is particularly used by flying schools at the airport, but if the wind shifts too far north all aircraft have to use it.

“So it’s essential it is in operation.

“It looks to me as though the enterprise zone is creeping across the airport area, but we need to keep this runway in a fit state so it can be used for commercial flights.

“If and when Blackpool gets back to normal, and all the money we are getting pays off in regeneration, it could become an international destination.”

Council deputy leader Coun Gillian Campbell told the full council meeting the runway would not be affected by work at the enterprise zone.

Meanwhile Blackpool Aiport manager has previously said there are no current plans to shut the runway permanently.

He said it had been “temporarily withdrawn from service, for the assessment of essential remedial works that need to be undertaken.”