Representation by Gabrielle Griffiths
- Date submitted
- 5 September 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Manston Airport has been a working airport since 1916 and should remain so. It will bring much needed employment to the area in the long term, many of which will be skilled engineers etc. There will also be an opportunity for young people to learn such highly valued skills which will benefit the economy. This will encourage other companies to the area and cut the high unemployment. Manston Airport would be the hub to encourage such enterprises. At the moment it will be for freight but in the future it could be opened for passengers and a spur built off the high speed rail link.
To build houses is a short term gain as after ten years there would still be no jobs. Many of the building work would be done by a temporary workforce who would leave the area once the buildings are completed. There is already a shortage of schools, doctors, dentists etc. Of major concern is the houses are acquired by overspill from London, which has already happened in the area. This does nothing to improve the employment prospects long term and leads to degradation of the already fully stretched infrastruture.
The Government has recognised that provincial airports are the way forward. Manston Airport must remain open, it is the only solution to improving this forgotten corner of the South East in the long term.