Dublin Airport has lodged plans for a 1km tunnel under one of its runways.

Airport operator DAA said the tunnel is needed for safety reasons and will ensure aircraft and ground vehicles are kept segregated.

It said the tunnel will ensure cargo operators, fuel bowsers, tugs, loaders, steps and catering trucks can safely make their way to the West Apron of the airport, which is restricted following the opening of the airport’s new runway.

The €200m tunnel will feature two lanes in each direction and the enclosed space underground will be 700mtrs long.

When the entrance and exit ramps are included, the tunnel will be 1.1km in length.

It will be around 24mtrs wide and will be up to 17.5mtrs below ground.

The tunnel was first proposed a number of year ago, with DAA hoping it would in place by 2024.

It is believed the tunnel be used as many as 3,500 times a day by service vehicles when it is built.

In a statement, DAA said: “The underpass is required to improve access and safety on the airfield, allowing for the segregation of aircraft and vehicles and the safe movement of vehicles to the West Apron, which is restricted following the opening of the new Northern Runway on August 24, 2022.

“Safe access to the West Apron is critically important to existing cargo operations, transit operations, General Aviation (GA), stand-by parking and contingency stands.”

Dublin Airport’s new North Runway officially opened late last month.

The opening left residents furious – with locals suggesting that planes are no sticking to the flight paths agreed as part of the planning process.

The decision to allow new night flights at the airport has also been described as a “big blow” to residents.

Additional reporting from Emma Tyrrell.