11/5/2004

A camapign group set up to oppose the expansion of Swansea airport is to screen the premiere of a documentary film on the subject this Friday.

The 45 minute film has been six months in production from a partnership between SANE (Swansea Airport No Expansion) and the Undercurrents News Network. It looks at the controversial expansion of Swansea airport, and draws on the knowledge and opinions of scientists, councillors and local business people.

The film shows some rarely seen old footage of Gower and shines the light on how a local council is able to annex and use such a huge area of common land.

Developments so far at Swansea airport have been approved by the council despite widespread opposition, and include new terminal buildings, landing lights, a high fence and aircraft hangars equivalent in size to 140 three bedroomed houses. An application on the council books is for a new access road.

“We have repeatedly asked for a business plan from Air Wales so that the public can understand how far the developments are likely to go,” said SANE spokesperson Ian Williams. “Once the airport has finished its construction works, Air Wales is legally able to fly unrestricted, 24 hours a day and will be a busy centre for aircraft maintenance.”

“We believe that any expansion of Swansea airport is madness; not only are we concreting over Swansea's cherished and profitable tourist destination, but we're paying many of the bills and getting used to life under a flight path. Cardiff airport is 40 minutes from Swansea, less when new rail links are finished. The airport is in the wrong place.”

The film, entitled Reach for the Sky, will be shown this Friday, 14th May at 8:30pm in the Dunvant community centre followed by a public discussion.