Laing extended the runway westwards at Filton Airfield to accommodate the Bristol Brabazon airliner, which was being built at the airfield. Work began in July 1946 on the new runway, which was 2,725 yards long and 100 yards wide. The work required the requisitioning and removal of Charlton village and a temporary flying strip was laid, for use while the new runway was under construction. The caption below this photograph in the album reads: "Progress and Planning Department. The charts record progress in all sections of the work from excavation to finished concrete enabling the contract manager to plan ahead. In addition to recording stages of construction this Department also records weather and other events likely to influence progress."
This image was catalogued as part of the Breaking New Ground Project in partnership with the John Laing Charitable Trust in 2019-20.
This is part of the Volume: JLP01/01/004 Filton airfield and runway, Patchway, and Bristol; within the Series: JLP01/01 John Laing Photographic Collection Project Albums; within the Collection: JLP01 John Laing Photographic Collection
© Historic England Archive. John Laing Photographic Collection
Builder: Maltby, John: John Laing And Son Ltd
20th Century Airfield, People At Work
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