PED OUT
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• A switch to pipeline deliveries and a reduction in the number of fuel tankers delivering to Manchester Airport could become a key factor in the approval of plans to expand the airport.
Cutting vehicle movements is seen as one way of countering kkal opposition to proposals to extend runways which would inevitably increase road traffic.
Tanker movements have already been cut since the beginning of the year after Air BP ended a long-standing vehicle and driver contract in favour of using a pipeline unused since it was laid in 1989. This will take 4,000 tanker deliveries away in this year alone, says Air BP.
The pipeline is owned by the airport but is available for use by anyone.
Competitors Shell and Esso are resisting a move to pipelines because, in contrast, they see road tankers as the most economical way to deliver their product.
Con nellan says that while there are no plans at present to get tough with oil companies by imposing a fine on tanker deliveries, he says he could not rule out such a move in future.