Worried neighbours want runway meeting

WORRIED airport neighbours are fed up waiting to hear about runway plans.

After almost eight months they are still in the dark about what the Public Services Department proposes to do about the project, which includes repairs to the airstrip and extended 'run-off areas'. Now they fear being left out of the process altogether and want an urgent meeting for a chance to have their say.

Banker Stephen Fell, who lives near the west end of the runway, said he and a group of neighbours had written to Public Services members reminding them of their pledge to keep islanders informed about the scheme, which forms part of the capital prioritisation debate.

While the PSD plans to hold a meeting with States members when consultants visit at the beginning of July, it has not yet set a date to meet the local community.

Mr Fell said: 'I wrote to minister Bernard Flouquet because he promised to keep residents updated. That was in November last year, and we don't feel there has been any consultation going on since.'

Residents want to be involved in the early stages, rather than simply hearing of the outcome, he added.

'I think consultation is a process of bouncing ideas about before a decision is made, not merely informing people what decision has been taken - we don't think there has been enough public debate.'

Mr Fell, who has also posted notes about the move through neighbours' letterboxes, wants to get the message across that there should be a public meeting where the community can express its views.