Representation by Paul Chater
- Date submitted
- 7 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I have broad concerns regarding this application relating to the credibility and financial position of the applicant and company, the health impacts of such a proposal and the logic of proposing a cargo hub dealing with freight movements from Manston. I have chosen to limit my representation to the issue of freight movements which are key to the proposal. Although I am now retired I worked in the export business for a local company Hornby Hobbies for over 25 years so am knowledgeable regarding export and import requirements and trade. Around 95% of all imports and exports are carried by sea rather than air freight. Freight that is transported by air is usually in the hold of passenger flights to make this more economical. This approach is not planned by the applicant. Due to the location of Manston, surrounded on three sides by sea, access is limited and there is not a sufficient infrastructure to deal with thousands of freight movements by road to and from Manston. In addition, why would freight hauliers choose to drive from the main industrial powerhouse in the north or central England to Manston in Kent rather than driving to the more convenient East Midlands airport or London airports? This does not seem to make economic sense. I understand that Standstead, for example, has freight capacity. I believe that there is no demand for the service proposed from Manston. I can only assume that the real estate value of the land is attractive for RSP in the event that they fail to make the airport viable.