AIRPORT PROJECT MOVES ON Efforts To Resettle Residents Underway

As work continues on the design drawings for the expansion of Wallblake Airport, an environmental report on the impact of the project during the construction and operational phases is expected to be submitted shortly.

Project Officer Fritz Smith said it was realised that there would be much noise and dust in the area while the work was being carried out. He stated that an engineering consultant was looking at the impact that such matters would have on residents in the area and how that impact could be reduced. He noted that with the lengthening of the runway aircraft might tend to fly further to the east or turn sooner to the south or north thus having some noise impact on residents. “These are some of the things we are looking at and the consultant is expected to send a report within the next two weeks,” he disclosed.
Mr. Smith said work on the final design of the airport had started about three weeks ago and the engineers working on that should be in Anguilla at month-end possibly to present the drawings and to clarify any matters. “One of the key things we want to ensure is that the design addresses the whole issue of drainage because as we go to the east the water draining from Rey Hill into the bottom land might be trapped and has to find a way out,” he stated. The airport runway is expected to pass over the northern rim of the bottom which has to be built up some 32 feet to level off with the present height of the airstrip.
He was of the opinion that about eighty percent or more of the persons affected by the airport expansion had been dealt with in terms of agreement on land acquisition and resettlement. At the eastern end of the airport, compensation agreements had been finalised with all but a few residents, he emphasised. “As a matter of fact, we have started our first house [for one resident] in the Forest area,” he said, adding that the Government would be having a formal ceremony later to mark the ground-breaking event.
“We are making progress with land acquisition,” Smith went on. “We are faced with some difficulties as we are dealing with people, but our approach is to negotiate with all the landowners to come to an agreement. We believe the only right thing to do is to negotiate so that is what we are doing and I am sure I am safe to say that it is going well.”
Mr. Smith added that the cost of compensation for land and housing amounted to some four million US dollars.
A further report will be given later.

Project Officer Fritz Smith and Airport Manager Remington Lake at press briefing