Man. Airport seeks runway bids

Manchester Airport is seeking expressions of interest for the design and construction of its œ70 million proposed second runway.

A spokesman explained that the airport was not trying to pre-empt the outcome of the public enquiry into the runway, but wanted to be ready to start work if the enquiry ruled the runway could go ahead.

The spokesman said: 'We will probably go to tender later this year.

'It will take about 14 weeks to price and at least another 14 weeks to evaluate, which will take us up to around the end of this year.'

No decision is expected from the enquiry until at least the end of this year - probably next year. No orders will be placed until a definite go-ahead is given by the DoE and DoT.