PORTFOLIO STORY ON AIRPORT EXPANSION, FEATURING A VIDEO INTERVIEW

Airport expansion is a constant fear for any resident living in the nearby area of an airport. With globalization constantly growing, this means there is a need for more frequent flights and flights to more destinations.

Four leading UK airports announced expansions plans in 2018, creating many issues for many locals who care for the environment they live in. Each airport expansion has a huge knock on affect on communities and not everyone is he most open-minded about this.

Southend Airport has taken on more flights this year, causing issues for those who own a house at the end of the Charlie Taxiway. The government has received a lot of hassle from this decision.

A Southend Airport spokesman said: "The airport has ambitious plans to grow, and will continue to work closely with the CAA to ensure the airport remains safe and environmentally responsible for all our stakeholders."

Many residents have made heavy complaints about Southend's expansion, with Ryan Air picking up a base at Southend, means there is now 55 extra, operating flights per week from the local airport.

Stansted Airport (only 47 miles away from Southend ) have also released plans expand, and are currently focusing their time on improving the facilities within the airport. The inside of Stansted is currently undergoing a major reconstruction, with the already busy airport now being filled with workmen and equipment.

In November 2018, Uttlesford council approved plans to expand the airport to facilitate 43 million passengers a year. There is also a scheme starting this year to improve the accessibly to the airport from both the M11 and the A120. This is the fifth time in thirty Stansted has proposed an expansion.

But how will this big expansion affect local residents? Local man, Jack Lavington, has a few opinions on the matter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKrp-H00qpM

However, one point to remember is that with each expansion comes new jobs and new positions for the community around them. Stansted Airport Employs 12,000+ on-site employees across over 200 companies currently (before expansion work has begun).

Another issue that comes with airport expansion isn't only for the residents, but for our environment. In an age where climate change threats are at their highest, it seems like the government should be trying to reduce the amount of CO2 that is filling our atmosphere.

Brian Ross, from Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) said: "figures show Ryanair is the tenth biggest CO2 emitter – all nine others are coal fired power stations". Ryanair operates over 600,000 flights a year and this number is constantly growing.

New figures show we only have 12 years to slow down the rapid rate of climate change, and the UK government is backing this information. However, they are also allowing airport expansion to continue.

More information about all airport expansions will be released later this year.