Representation by Colin Sisk
- Date submitted
- 8 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Dear Sir/Madam,
I support the plan for Manston Airport to be retained as an operational airfield for the benefit of local jobs, the UK's regional airport infrastructure, in support of the UK Government's recently declared policy on Regional Airports and for the benefit of all London inbound commercial flights who may need to make an Emergency Landing which could put a runway out of commission for a lengthy period; Manston has a long runway (at 2,748 m (9,016 ft) long, it has the eleventh-longest commercial runway in the UK) that can easily accommodate the largest of aircraft flying today, the Airbus A380-800. Manston is well connected with both London Gatwick and Heathrow by Dual Carriageway 'A' roads and Motorways and, incidentally London itself. Manston is close to the Channel Tunnel High-Speed train network and could be connected to it if there was a political will so to do.
I won't discuss with the poor economic state of the Isle of Thanet since I'm sure you must be aware that it is one of the most economically deprived areas in the South East of England. You and I, and the Government knows it needs a huge economic boost. That economic boost will not come from turning Manston into a dormitory for people to have to commute into London to work. An economic boost shall however be provided by an operational airfield in requiring Maintenance Staff, Airfield Engineers, Airfield Fire-Fighters, Airfield Paramedics, Avionics Engineers, Electricians, Air Traffic Controllers, Office Staff, Telemetry Engineers, Aircraft Signalmen (and Signal-Ladies), Aircraft and Buildings Cleaners, Hangar Mainenance Engineers, etc., etc., the list goes on and on and the unemployed & young people of the Thanet region should not be deprived of this opportunity.
Earlier this year the UK Government Aviation Minister Baroness Suggest CBE spoke of the importance of Regional Airports (see https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/aviation-ministers-keynote-speech-to-the-british-irish-airports-expo ) and she concluded by saying "Ladies and gentlemen, a thriving aviation sector is fundamental to our national interests. And to the interests of every UK region. With progress on Heathrow, and a new comprehensive aviation strategy we have a great opportunity to help the industry continue in its success. As your Aviation Minister, I’m committed to working alongside you to ensure that our aviation strategy delivers for every part of the aviation sector, and for every part of the UK". Your decision concerning Manston is the 'acid-test' on whether our Governmnent is true to it's word or just full of 'hot-air'.
Finally I would close by saying that when Manston was an operational Military Airfield, RAF Manston when I knew it, its motto was "Arise to Defend" and it did that in spades during this nation's darkest days and, less reportedly, during the Cold War with the Soviets. I would sincerely urge you to make the right decision in order that Manston may arise again only this time it will ARISE TO SUCCEED.
With kind regards and a heart sincerely hoping that you'll decide in favour of Manston as an Operational Airport.
[REDACTED] .