BAA Stansted today launches a 14-week public consultation on requirements for road and rail access to the airport once the second runway is open, expected to be in 2015.

The proposals on which BAA is consulting are contained in a ‘Surface Access Strategy’ and are the result of extensive work done by BAA, the Highways Agency, Network Rail, the Department for Transport and the Government Office for the East of England. This strategy builds upon Stansted’s position as the leading UK airport for use of public transport by air passengers. Under the spotlight are the transport needs for the growing number of passengers expected to travel through Stansted up to 2030, having taken into account the anticipated growth in travel in the East of England region.

The proposals include:

• Measures to reduce the growth in car travel to the airport;
• Longer trains to meet increased passenger demand;
• The Stansted Express to return to being a dedicated service for airport travellers at busiest times of day; in conjunction with
• Additional trains on the West Anglia Main Line serving Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford passengers;
• New and improved coach and bus services to build on the success of existing services;
• Local road diversions to maintain connections between communities around the extended airport boundary.

Also, and as part of the strategy, the Highways Agency will be consulting on their own proposals for widening the M11 south of Stansted between the M25 (junction 6) and the airport (junction 8), and on plans to improve airport access from the M11 and A120.

Invitations to take part in the consultation are being sent direct to over 200,000 residents, together with MPs, community organisations, elected representatives, business leaders, airlines and others.

A series of public exhibitions will be held in towns and villages, from Epping to Thaxted so everyone has the opportunity to examine the details and maps and can have face-to-face discussions with transport experts. These exhibitions will be held jointly with the Highways Agency so that the complete range of proposals can be viewed at the same time. The exhibition can also be viewed online at www.stanstedairport.com/future

Alastair McDermid, BAA Director of Stansted Generation 2, said:

“People are travelling more and our challenge is to aim to meet that need in the most responsible way.

 “We begin the consultation from a position of strength as Stansted is the UK’s leading airport for public transport use by passengers, and the second in Europe. The success of the second runway project will depend on building on the strengths of the airport’s existing transport systems.

“Stansted is also acknowledged as a leader and innovator in helping airport employees to come to work using environmentally friendly means of transport. We intend to stay at the forefront of travel planning for staff.

“Our challenge has been to understand current and future travel patterns and to develop sustainable solutions that will meet the needs of people travelling to and from the airport. Our strategy focuses on reducing the growth in car use and encouraging more people to use improved public transport services. I look forward to getting out and about in coming weeks to hear what people have to say about our plans. All comments and ideas are welcome.”

Media enquiries

Notes to Editors
• Consultation period: 27 February to 5 June 2007
• The full public exhibition schedule is:

All exhibitions will be open between 11am and 9pm; except Harlow on Saturday 10 March, which will be open between 10am and 4pm.