CONCERNS have been raised that essential maintenance work due to take place on the main runway at Dublin Airport at the end of this month could impact on local residents.
However, the Dublin Airport Authority (daa) insists that the work is critical for the ongoing safe operation of the airport and vowed that the community would be kept informed of developments.
The main runway (10/28), which accounts for 95 per cent of all traffic movements at the airport, is in need of a major pavement overlay. The daa said this is normal for a runway of its age – it was 26-years-old this year. Before the runway overlay can rake place, survey and topographical work is required. This first phase is the preparatory stage and the work is planned to start at the end of March, lasting for nine weeks.
The result of this survey will feed into the overall planning for the major rehabilitation and overlay works which are scheduled to start at the end of April 2016 and will last for approximately 18 months, depending on weather conditions.
To enable this work to take place, the main runway will close between 11pm and 5am, Monday to Friday, for the duration of the project.
Flight operations will then switch to the crosswind runway (16/34) during these times.
Local councillor Sean Haughey (FF) said he was
“very concerned
? that the work could lead to an unexpected increase in nighttime aircraft noise over the suburbs of Clontarf, Donnycarney and Beaumont.
“Local residents have not been adequately informed about these developments and I have received a number of complaints in this regard from worried householders,
? he told Northside People.
“The daa needs to fully engage with the local communities in relation to these works and alleviate their concerns.
“In addition, any disruption must be kept to an absolute minimum and the repairs should be completed in the fastest possible timeframe.
?
A spokeswoman for the daa said that unfortunately while this work is taking place, they have no alternative runway to use at the moment other than the crosswind runway.
“The works are carried out at nighttime when flight operations are at a minimum,
? she told Northside People.
“It is not unusual for the main runway to be closed at nighttime.
“It happens a number of times during the year for essential maintenance, for example when there is a build-up of rubber on the main runway and it needs to be removed.
?
The spokeswoman said it was important to point out that the decision to carry out work on the main runway is not taken lightly.
“However, this maintenance work is critical to the ongoing safe operation of Dublin Airport,
? she said.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this essential maintenance may cause to the local community and we are working closely with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) to keep any disruption to a minimum.
?
The spokeswoman added:
“We will keep the local community informed of this essential maintenance personally where possible, through the Dublin Airport Stakeholders’ Forum, newspaper advertisement, our website and social media.
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