A ceremony has marked the start of a major runway refurbishment project at RAF Valley.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and the Royal Air Force (RAF) have begun refurbishing the Aircraft Operating Surface (AOS) and Aeronautical Ground Lighting (AGL) systems.

This project is the second phase of airfield refurbishment at RAF Valley on Anglesey.

The project will replace all Aeronautical Ground Lighting with new LED technology, significantly reducing energy consumption and the carbon footprint.

The refurbishment will also involve removing all pavement layers and replacing them with a new surface.

The refurbishment is being carried out by DIO’s contractor, Lagan Aviation and Infrastructure Ltd.

The groundbreaking ceremony signals the closure of the 01-19 runway at RAF Valley for full construction over the next 12 months.

Mechanical digger and aircraft on the runway at RAF Valley  (Image: Crown Copyright)

The fully reconstructed runway is expected to become operational by July 2025.

Peter Shaw, project manager at DIO, major programmes and projects (MPP), said: "The appointed contractor, Lagan Aviation and Infrastructure Ltd, have quickly formed strong relationships with the station stakeholders and continue to engage with the local community via engagement events, and ensuring where possible that materials, labour, and equipment are sourced from the island.

"The groundbreaking ceremony signals the closure of the secondary runway for refurbishment by the contractor supported by the appointed Technical Support Provider (TSP), AECOM."

The project is expected to involve close communication and cooperation between all major stakeholders, including the local community.

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Richard Humphries, project sponsor, major projects - AIR INFRA, said: "The collaboration of all the stakeholders AIR INFRA, RAF Valley, DIO, AECOM, Lagan Aviation and Infrastructure Ltd, and the local community has been exceptional, and the relationships are growing from strength to strength as we move forward with the project.

"We are looking forward to the challenge of providing RAF Valley with the runway surfaces and lighting systems that will support Operations and Training requirements for the future."

John McKeaney, project director at Lagan Aviation and Infrastructure Ltd, said: "The strong collaborative working and planning between the DIO, TSP, RAF staff stationed at RAF Valley and Lagan Aviation and Infrastructure Ltd has enabled Lagan Aviation and Infrastructure Ltd to take possession of the secondary runway on time and in line with the Project programme.

"The main construction stage of the Project now begins in earnest with multiple construction teams now on site.

"Lagan Aviation and Infrastructure Ltd are committed to handing the secondary runway back to RAF Valley as planned."