Positive aspects of the expansion proposal:
- Over 700 jobs created as part of the expansion
Summary: The majority of the opinions expressed were pro the expansion bid, due to the large numbers of benefits to the various societies in Liverpool. For example, Gary Clark, a building contractor working in Liverpool, spoken of his delight to hear that an expansion to Liverpool John Lennon Airport was a realistic possibility. He saw this proposal as a great opportunity for his business to prosper. Mr Clark explained clearly how the airport expansion would bring increased tourism to the area and therefore the local infrastructure would inevitably need to be improved to cater for the amplified population.
Mr Clark quoted, “There will be a demand for new housing, as well as improvements to the buildings of the area.”
Mario Linguini, an Italian restaurant owner in the centre of Liverpool explained in some detail about the benefits to his business that the expansion would bring. He said, “It is clear that more people entering Liverpool will bring more customers for me, as well as other companies in the City! I don’t understand why this can be bad for the area of Liverpool!”
Numerous local residents spoke on how the infrastructure of the area could be greatly improved if the expansion goes ahead. Bernie Mac, a resident of Garston gave his account on how the state of the area of Liverpool is not fit for the capitol of culture in 2008. “I’m sorry if this offends anyone who was involved in the capital of culture bid team, but I don’t think that Liverpool is in a fit enough state to accept this award!” Mr. Mac proceeded to explain how the expansion would bring more wealth to the area and to the local council who would put the money back into the community. “The graffiti and litter on the streets of Liverpool is appalling and is in desperate need of a serious clean up!”
A spokesman from Liverpool football Club agreed with Mr Mac’s opinion and expressed his views on how the poor appearance of some parts of Liverpool affects the decisions of potential players joining the club.
Mr Jack Sparrow, a local shopkeeper and a member of the Quaker society was livid with those who opposed the expansion bid. This is a brief quote from his lengthy outburst at the Public Enquiry, “I am absolutely disgusted that residents of Liverpool would risk the chance of jeopardising this fantastic opportunity of making the city great again, purely due to their own selfish and petty disagreements!”
Mr sparrow was referring to those who opposed the expansion bid and particularly those who’s reason was, “the planes make too much noise.” Mr Sparrow explained that he was a shop keeper and he needed all the opportunities he could get to earn some extra cash, he made it clear that the expansion would help him enormously with the added tourism, and possibly enable him to expand his own shop in the future.
Along with local businesses possibly prospering as part of the expansion of Liverpool JLA, the unemployed seemed to benefit as well. Local boy Danny Mckensie spoken of the many hundreds of jobs created at the airport. He made a very heart felt speech on how he has been unemployed for 3 years and how he was fired from his job at one of the curry houses in Huyton, as soon as he heard about the expansion proposal he saw it as an opportunity to get his life back on track and to turn his back on his past experiences.
These are only a few of the many participants who were pro the expansion bid, however there were some negative aspects of the expansion proposal expressed at the enquiry. There were some individuals who believed that the expansion of the airport didn’t need to go ahead in order to boost the economy of Liverpool.
Mr Gregg forest, a Greenpeace activist told us of the 50% increase in pollution that the expansion would bring to the area. Also the increased level of noise was brought up in the enquiry, which was said to scare some of the wildlife in the area and keep children up at night. A local single mother living in Toxteth clearly outlined her view of the expansion as being “an invasion of her privacy and quality of life.” Mrs Ballard said that she has a 6 month old baby and she currently has little or no sleep as it is but with the increased number of planes flying over her house at night this would just make her life harder.
These concerns were replied with reassurances from aviation ministers and aeroplane engineers that the new planes have ‘fuel injection systems’ which supposedly ensure that planes are quieter and less polluting to the atmosphere.
Liverpool JLA chief executive was quoted in saying, “All houses that are under flight paths will be fitted with sound proof glass for their added convenience free of charge.”
Conclusion: It can be seen from the evidence that the majority of people who took part in the public enquiry were for the expansion. I think that the advantages the expansion will bring to the city will outweigh the possible disadvantages. My recommendation is that the expansion should go ahead and that it will benefit Liverpool as a society in future years.