Steelwork Goes Up At Doncaster's
£80m Airport Development

26 April 2004

Steelwork is now being erected by Barnsley-based Billington Structures at the £80 million Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield. The scheme to create the UK's newest airport for 30 years is due to open in Spring 2005, when Thomson and Thomsonfly will commence holidays and low-cost flights to popular destinations in Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Malta.

To mark the official start of work on the terminal, Peel Airports invited Caroline Flint MP, Don Valley, to a formal ceremony at the site. Commenting, she said: "This terminal will be Doncaster's gateway to the world and a symbol that Doncaster is open for business. The start of this construction is the day when an idea begins to become real. For Doncaster's residents who have taken this airport to their hearts, this is their dream becoming a reality."

Local companies involved in the development, which is being project managed by Bovis Lend Lease Limited, also attended the ceremony.

Bob King, Sales Director for Barnsley-based Billington Structures said "Billington Structures are delighted to be involved in this landmark Doncaster project, with the opportunity to utilise local facilities staffed by local people, providing a great boost to the indigenous economic
infrastructure".

Of the work awarded to date, 60 per cent of the contracts have been secured by local businesses. Contractors from the area who will be on site in the coming months include Norking Aluminium and FCY Ltd both from Doncaster.

Airport managing director (designate) David Ryall said: "The impact of this development has been widely debated throughout the regions it will serve when it opens for business this time next year. Now, with the start of construction, people can begin to see the very real benefits a scheme of this size and potential can deliver to the local economy in terms of creating work for local contractors and jobs for local people."

During the ceremony, Caroline Flint MP said: "I have nothing but praise for the dedication of Peel Airports, who saw the potential of this site, has taken great financial risk and who has persevered for years. Their vision is taking shape with the partnership and expertise of Billingtons, Bovis Lend Lease and the many other companies involved with the project, I am proud to celebrate their endeavours today."

The state-of-the-art terminal building has been designed by architects Leach Rhodes Walker LLP. The airport will have the capacity to serve 2.3 million passengers and 50,000 tonnes of freight per annum. It has one of the longest runways in the north of England, with the potential to link directly to long-haul destinations such as the Far East, the Caribbean and America.

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