Report by Sheraz Khan
LUTON: Luton International Airport expansion project to develop and employ other cities located In and around this town.
Consultations are continuing extensively to provide information to local communities about the opportunities for income growth and prosperity, with the consultation process entering its fourth week.
In this regard, a regular press briefing was organized by the Luton Borough Council with the aim of conveying the message to all of the citizens living in this town of consultations about the airport expansion project. A detailed press briefing was given by the Deputy leader of Luton borough Council Raja Mohammed Aslam Khan, Councillor Javeria Hussain and Anthony Aldridge about the impact of economic benefits of the expansion of Luton airport locally, regionally and nationally.
Reducing our poverty levels and improving the health system will allow us to achieve our goals, which will find equal employment and opportunities on a uniform basis and increase income. This is a continuation of the Luton Borough Council’s Vision 2040 i.e. completion of the airport expansion project, implementation and regeneration of this town.
Deputy leader Aslam Khan emphasised the benefits of the airport expansion, the town will be directly connected to the wider world with the introduction of long-haul flight. Luton Rising currently with a capacity of 18 million passengers contributes £1.8 billion to the UK economy also much-needed revenue to sustain local services that matter the most to our residents, increase employment prospects and help to reduce the poverty levels in our town. Councillor Javeria Hussain mentioned that airport expansion project is a lifeline for our town. Our effort is not to increase pollution in the town. However, it is to make Luton airport the greenest airport in the country.
Part of the expansion project is the Dart Train Terminal from where the shuttle train takes passengers directly to the airport in just 5 minutes. While the train journey from King’s Cross station to Luton parkway is 30 minutes. Council Officer Anthony stated that this is the only community owned airport that has delivered £257 million – making up 15% to the local council budget. In addition, the airport has contributed £150 million to local charities that has made life changing interventions for the residents since 2004 as well as generating 16,500 vital jobs. The three speakers stressed that everyone in the community should support the project. The Luton Rising project should be supported through online consultation or by freepost.
It is worth noting this is the first time that Councillor Aslam Khan and Councillor Javeria officially invited journalists of Pakistani origin and ensured that all journalists not only attended the press briefing but were also given the opportunity to ask questions. Ateeq Rahman, Asif Sharif and manager of the local radio station Muhammad Tariq and others also participated. The daily Ausaf expressed that while they appreciate the Luton airport project will have far reaching benefits for the local community however raised their concerns on rising gang and knife related crimes.
The total population of Luton is 214,000 while the BME community is estimated to be 80,000 to 90,000. The total number of councillors in Luton is 48, 17 councillors are of Pakistani origin, 15 of which are from the Kotli district of Azad Kashmir. The current mayor of this town is Councillor Malik Mahmood Hussain, who came to the UK in 1967. British House of Lords member Lord Qurban Hussain is also from the same city. Based on the efforts and active participation of elected members and community leaders. Luton is a progressive town and strong links to Azad Kashmir hence why it is also referred to as mini Kotli.
There are 32 mosques in the town, with 3 of the Mosques’s performing Adhaan via loudspeakers being heard across the town. During Ramadan or daily prayers, it is it is assumed that we are in Kotli or another Islamic country.