Spaceport plans drawn up
PLANS are being drawn up to ensure that Llanbedr airfield’s bid to become the UK’s first spaceport is successful.
Developments at Llanbedr could include improved access to the site, a longer runway, a spaceport hangar and improved rail links.
Directors are delighted with the local support for the proposed expansion which they say will provide a “huge” boost to the economy and create “many” jobs.
Llanbedr is one of eight sites under consideration to become the UK’s first spaceport. The chosen spaceport is expected to be operational by 2018.
Llanbedr Airfield Estates director David Young told the Cambrian News that the airfield is in talks with the Welsh Government and Gwynedd Council.
A Llanbedr access improvement stakeholders group had already been established and that its next meeting will be on 10 September.
He said: “If we are successful in securing the spaceport to be developed at Llanbedr, a number of access im-provements are likely to be required in the future which may include improvements to the rail network serving the area.”
The airfield is already examining improvement works that will enhance its ability to host remotely-piloted air system (RPAS) drones and directors believe the step from that to spaceport is a natural one.
Mr Young said: “There is tremendous synergy between RPAS and space so one compliments the other.
“The requirement for spaceport is covered in a number of government documents available online [and] will include a runway extension and a spaceport hangar.”
