Plymouth Airport's runway is to be resurfaced

The owners of a Devon airport have won planning permission to re-route part of a major road in Plymouth.

Plymouth City Council has approved the bid to move part of the A386 Tavistock Road to the west of Plymouth Airport.

The work will increase the runway safety zone in line with new civil aviation requirements, but means one of the city's busiest commuter routes will be closer to peoples' homes.

Residents say the work is unnecessary, but an airport spokesman says the project is crucial to sustaining air links with London.

It's a question of balancing the environment versus the economy Simon Cronk, Sutton Harbour Holdings

Sutton Harbour Holdings has announced it is to start work in June on the improvements.

Phase one involves resurfacing the main runway and upgrading landing lights.

Phase two, the moving of the A386, will allow the runway safety zone to be increased from 30 metres to 90 metres, in line with new civil aviation requirements.

A small section of the road will be routed across a field, close to homes in estates at Bird Cage Farm.

Bob Jones, who lives in one of the estates, said: "It's the unknown and the fact that the road will come through and we don't know what'll be like.

"Obviously, you get the occasional plane that comes over, but that's only a couple of seconds or so.

"But, with the road, it's going to be constant, especially with rush hour traffic next to your property."

Constant improvements

Sutton Harbour's head of special projects, Simon Cronk, said: "It's a question of balancing the environment versus the economy.

"This scheme is vital to Plymouth Airport. Without it, the future of scheduled air services to London are in doubt.

"There are constant improvements to increase safety. If we didn't do these things, planes would have to carry less people, which would make it unviable.

"Without an air service to London, at least 1,500 jobs would be lost in the community. We're also a long way from London by road and by rail. The only way to get to Plymouth for a day's business is by air."

Other road changes involve new junctions for Plymbridge Road and Southway Drive, and a park and ride.

The scheme will cost about �12m. Funding is coming from the Department of Transport and the South West Regional Development Agency.