Representation by Jodie Hudson
- Date submitted
- 4 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I strongly object to the RSP’s application for a DCO as it is not in the interest of our Community or Nation.
Although it serves as a nice historical footnote to World War two, times have changed and so have our needs.
With our population being the highest it has ever been and climbing, the need for more housing and job opportunities is an ever more pressing concern. It would be a pity to waste the opportunity for a development such as the Marina resort to bring businesses and housing to Thanet, as well as jobs, educational and leisure facilities which would enrich the lives of so many.
We no longer have a need for a runway large enough to host an air-fleet and the numerous attempts to revamp the airport in the past have all failed as will this one if RSP’s application is accepted. There is simply no demand for it. What was one a prime location on the frontlines of a war, is now a village on the far east of Kent. With plenty of airports close by in central locations, the only location Manston airport would be serving is Kent and there being a shortage on jobs and housing, who do they expect to be using those services? Even the Airport’s past as a Cargo hub failed and RSP’s submission poses no solutions for preventing history from repeating itself, especially as they have hired the disbarred [Redacted], to yet again lead the failure of Manston airport under a different ownership.
As well as an airport, Kent also does not need the congestion it would bring to the A299, the M2 and the A2 as freight is transported to and from Manston. There is no indication that Highways Kent has been involved nor have I found any proposed solutions/adjustments to the issues which will arise, especially in areas like the Dartford crossing where congestion is a continuous issue, experiencing already far greater traffic than ever predicted.
I myself am from Nethercourt Estate in Ramsgate and have been living in Essex for the past 6 months with plans to move back next year. Visiting my family on weekends is already stressful enough getting through the preexisting traffic and there being at least one crash ahead along the way. I really can’t image what a disaster it would be to have more traffic and consequently a higher frequency of crashes and therefore increased congestion and mortality rate on our roads.
The health of surrounding residents must also be considered. Air pollution drastically increases the risk of stroke and with services being transferred to West Kent, the introduction of an airline and the congestion it bring will not only increase the number of Stroke victims but reduce their chance of survival. Surely the lives of those this proposed escapade will take are worth more? Although the increased occurrence of Stokes is a huge cause for concern let us not forget the insurmountable number of other short and long term illnesses which will be caused by sleep deprivation and exposure to high levels of air pollution.
In all, I feel the negative consequences outweigh the benefits of which I can see none.