A leading business organisation has highlighted the significant benefits that Crossrail 2 could bring for the millions of passengers travelling to and from Stansted Airport. Speaking at Stansted Airport’s 13th Transport Forum, David Leam, Director of Infrastructure at London First, told delegates that even if Crossrail 2 did not serve the airport directly, it would improve rail journey times and bring Stansted even closer to people living in and around London.
"We face a stark choice: keep investing in our transport network to keep pace with population and jobs growth - or let congestion hold us back. Crossrail 2 is a proposed new rail service connecting South West, Central and North East London that could transform journeys for millions of passengers. This includes benefits for Stansted through the creation of additional tracks to at least as far as Broxbourne, allowing more and quicker journeys to the airport and bringing it even closer into London's orbit,” he said.
The Forum, which took place at the airport’s Radisson Blu Hotel today (Nov 21), saw over 100 community representatives, local councillors and public transport experts attend a workshop and hear from inspirational speakers including David Leam from London First; Stansted Airport’s Managing Director, Andrew Harrison; Head of Passenger Transport for Essex County Council, John Pope; and motivational speaker, Jim Lawless.
The annual event showcases the continuous work the airport undertakes to improve surface access and highlights targets for the future. Speaking at his first Transport Forum, Andrew Harrison, Stansted’s Managing Director reflected on the eight months since M.A.G took ownership of the airport. He said:
“Under new ownership, the airport is already a very different place, full of ambition and drive, more confident and positive about its future prospects. This is great news for passengers, employees and businesses across the region and, as a result of these achievements, many of us will benefit from this new positive attitude and outlook.”
“We have set out plans to return the airport to growth, add more destinations, more airlines, and have already signed long terms deals with Ryanair, easyJet and Thomas Cook. The challenge now is to attract long haul and full service scheduled operators to Stansted. Our commercial team is working tirelessly to promote the airport and its connections to London and the East of England as an opportunity not to be missed.
“No-one will disagree that the last few months have been non-stop. Yet in the midst of all this we can take pride in a year of achievement at the airport. I’m delighted to announce that 51% of our passengers now use trains, buses and coaches to get to and from Stansted. This means Stansted is not just the best major airport for public transport use by passengers but it’s now the number one of all UK airports, something we are extremely proud of.
“We are also delighted to see the recommendations from the recent London First report – A world class rail link for Stansted. We all know that securing improvements to the West Anglia Mainline isn’t going to happen overnight but if we are to secure investment on this line, we need to work together and speak with one voice. Going beyond that, we’ve heard today about the significant benefits that Crossrail 2 would have in accessibility and choice for passengers right across London, and provide a huge step up in connectivity to Stansted.
“We are hugely proud of our record, but today is all about building on that success and renewing our commitment to drive for more services and even higher standards of customer service. M.A.G is fully supportive of this and will continue to support the development of both public and private transport provision at the airport.”
Members of the Stansted Airport Chamber of Commerce (SACC) were invited to a unique behind the scene guided tour of the terminal to see the transformation last week. The programme involves optimising efficient use of space within the terminal. This will be achieved by increasing the ratio of airside to landside space.
Under the ownership of M.A.G and with the benefit of an £80 million investment to improve the terminal building, Stansted Airport is entering an exciting new era of transformation.
MAG are aiming for the new facility to be in operation in time for the expected Christmas peak in travel through the airport.
The development is running concurrently with normal airport operation and is carefully organised to minimise disruption to normal business and re-use as much of existing equipment as possible.
The outcome will be increased rate of movement of passengers from landside to airside and a reduction in the stresses experienced by passengers using the airport. The redesigned terminal will also provide enhanced opportunities for retail business at the airport.
The improvements include designing and building new check in facilities which will provide separate assistance to those who need help through the check in process whilst enabling others to ‘fast track’ through the check in process much of which will now be entirely automated.
Overall the result will be an improvement in the experience of travellers using the airport, making it a more relaxed experience whilst providing increased opportunities for retail business at the airport.
Julie Budden, Chair of the Stansted Airport Chamber said: “These are exciting times for Stansted Airport and the development of the terminal will no doubt make the experience of travelling through our airport easier and more pleasurable. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product.” 
Stephen Rhenius of Uttlesford District Council said: “The tour was most impressive and made clear the careful planning and organisation undertaken for such an ambitious project. Grateful thanks to Marcella MRabety, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager and Neil Milbanks, Transformation Manager from MAG for the opportunity”.
For further information log on to:
http://www.stanstedairport.com/about-us/airport-improvements/what's-changing-and-when
EXCITING NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL BUSINESSES
Tim Hooper, Head of Procurement - Stansted Airport Limited will inform on how your business can access the extensive opportunities throughout the Airport's Supply Chain.
Date: Thursday 12 September 2013 -1600hrs - 1730 hrs
Venue: Enterprise House, London Stansted Airport, CM24 1QW (FREE parking)
Your attendance at this event will allow you to:
- Discover business opportunities at Stansted Airport, the organisations involved and their supply chains
- Learn about the standards required to supply into the Airport Community and other large organisations in your area
- Find out how to access all of the business support that is available in the region around Stansted and network with the key organisations involved
- Hear directly from the Airport’s procurement team about how you can be involved
- The numerous opportunities within the multi-million pound supply chain to the airport sector in the region will be explained at this event.
AGENDA
16.00pm Registration and Coffee
16.30pm Understanding the wider airport opportunity – BE Group
An overview of opportunities on and around the airport (not just regarding M.A.G.)
and how businesses can fit in. To include an overview of tenants, hotels, transport
providers, facilities etc.
Sebastian Down, Regional Manager, Business Enterprise Group
16.45pm Understanding the Stansted Airport Supply Chain - Stansted Airport Ltd
An overview of procurement at Stansted Airport and how procurement is done on the
airport itself, including for example insurances required, airside passes, health and
safety etc
Tim Hooper, Head of Procurement, London Stansted Airport
17.00pm How to access these opportunities?
17.15pm Questions and Answers
17.30pm Close of event
Book early to secure your place - limited availability
Cost: £10 + vat (£12 incl) Payment to be received by 5/9/13 to secure your place. Cheques made payable to SACC and sent to 3rd Floor, Endeavour House, London Stansted Airport, Essex. CM24 1SJ. Please call for BACS details (01279) 87 00 64. We are unable to accept credit card payments.
FREE parking available.
Cancellation Policy
5 working days notice required for a full refund. Cancellation must be submitted in writing via email to Julie Budden
Details of all attendees to any SACC event are included within the events delegate list. You hereby consent to the use of your data for that purpose in accordance with Data Protection Act 1998.
Location : Enterprise House, London Stansted Airport, CM24 1QW
Contact : Julie Budden (01279) 87 00 64
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