Airfield closure 'as bad as filling in harbour'

WHAT a shame that Bristol is to lose a historic land site which for over 100 years has given the city character and distinction. Aviation at Filton is part of Bristol's DNA and should not be destroyed.

The redevelopment of Filton Airfield is a planning blunder and heritage disaster. The demise began some years ago when the original art deco inspired aircraft buildings at Patchway were demolished, to give place to the Royal Mail distribution centre. The final chapter will be played out with extended urban sprawl, more toy town housing, retail sheds etc, with all the additional pressures on transport infrastructure. The current generation will miss the open spaciousness of the airfield as a relief from the inner city compression.

Such a decision to redevelop could be compared to filling in the city docks, which even in their current clinical state is an anaemic reminder of past glory.

In regretting the dismissal of any initiatives to maintain or reactivate the facilities commercially, we shouldn't forget that the site has one of the best runways in the country and could be of strategic value should a national emergency occur.

Andrew Baker

WE are indeed a sad society (The Post, December 21 "Airfield sold off in £120 million deal"), compounded in my opinion in a celebratory DVD on The end of the Runway which should have read "The manufacturing future of the Runway".

Vultures didn't hang about in acquiring a fundamental piece of Bristol's history; a testament to engineering excellence. Her Majesty's Government is forever banging on about manufacturing renaissance. I had hoped the mayor would have enabled a stay of execution, pending a full public enquiry; it's a sad reflection on all those "unjoined" local governances, therein an acceptance, never an epitaph to a committee.

Cadbury allowed to move to the EU "level playing field" of Poland, similarly here in Wells, Nutricia sometime Cow & Gate/Wilts United Dairy – it really makes one wonder how we will compete with rising China, alas not my generation but those of future generations who will wonder what we were about. Both the Western Daily Press and ThePost would have been to the fore in sounding the trumpet!

Who amongst us doesn't now see the folly of the Beeching axe introduced by a Conservative government. As a "youthful" septuagenrian I do exhort our younger generations to become involved in the body politic, it's their future.

Graham E Livings

Wells

IT is the end for Filton as an airport. But this was determined more than ten years ago when the minority were able to veto the proposal to develop Filton as a commercial airport.

I hesitate to accuse anyone of benefiting from that decision but I suspect vested interests at Lulsgate had an influence and the nimbys at Bradley Stoke took the narrow, selfish view; and I say that as a Bradley Stoke resident at the time, who was appalled at the attitude of my neighbours, who had no consideration for the future of Bristol. We lost a great opportunity then as we always do.

Even now we could have a sports complex at Filton but I don't think Bristolians could cope with successful sports teams. I really don't think we deserve a successful city. I fear for the future of George Ferguson.

He will be thwarted by the Bristolians, who love to complain but who are not prepared to support developments in our city if there is any potential disruption to their lifestyle.

I love our city but I am sad that we miss so many wonderful opportunities due to complacency. Why can't we work as a community and move forward and compete with other UK cities?

Mike Reed

SAD to see the closure of Filton Aerodrome. One ponders what might have been if this had become Bristol's main airport instead of Lulsgate!

Good rail and road connections, longer runway allowing Jumbos access, approach over Bristol Channel.

One could go on but sadly we have a grossly incompetent legislature.

Dave

Wrington

IN ones, two's, three's and four's

Maybe sometimes even more

Over our heads they used to soar

But know they are just left to die

As we slowly think as we lie

The rumbling noise of jets would shake the ground

But the huge jumbo jets would be heard all around

Private jets were here and there

But now they can't breathe the high fresh air

The Concorde is left to rust

Whilst other planes start to go bust

All this replaced for a housing estate

For an airport that will always be remembered

Goodbye Filton 21/12/12

Luc Desbottes

Aged 12