It’s got to be Manchester biased I know but the local authorities seem to like us enthusiasts. 😀

They have always been fairly friendly towards enthusiasts, which i suspect is because MAN was owned and operated by Manchester City Council until fairly recently.

Another reason we get good viewing is that the area which was compulsary purchased for runway 2 development (the Bollin Valley) had been in large part a natural wild-life haven and open to the public, so the Bolin Valley Project made the airport authorities re-landscape and provide public access around the perimeter after constructoin was complete – as part of the deal.

It is a fantastic network of properley made foot and cycle paths which conveniently allow us access to any part of the runway perimeter fence

I *think* the convenient southside raised viewing mounds which we enjoy snapping away from are part of an attempt to keep the noise levels down in the surrounding countryside, which is why runway 2 is closed during quiet periods (12 – 3pm).Pro-active noise control was another issue which was insisted on as part of the deal allowing runway 2 to be constructed.

As ever, i stand by to be corrected by those more knowledgable about such matters.

Michael