Representation by Fiona-Sue Humphries
- Date submitted
- 8 October 2018
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I own a retail outlet on Harbour Street Ramsgate. I moved to the town in 2008 and in 2010 gave up my existing work in London to start a business here, to create income for myself, a member of staff and for local makers and artists whose work I sell. I have been relieved to see growth in trade due to the expansion of Thanet’s tourism and new residents who come from an ABC1 income bracket, contributing to Thanet’s economy by shopping local and improving housing stock with good renovations. As one of a cluster of higher quality shops in town, I am deeply concerned about the plans put forward by RSP because of a) Threat to tourism – the ‘worst case’ estimate of 17,000 ATMs greatly exceeds past air traffic here, when noise levels were regularly recorded over 100dB. Combined with an estimated 8 flights a night over the prime central area poses a threat to the economy that has been growing, making the area one of the fastest growing destinations in England. I believe that opportunity of gaining these new residents, staycation breaks and yachts mooring overnight will be diminished because of the noise, destroying the positive benefits of our current new economy. And b) Safety and infrastructure – with only three main access roads to Thanet and just two with direct airport access, the potential lorry/tanker movements will become excessive for the infrastructure; 17,000 ATMs per annum will create a possible high of 120 – 166 HGVs a day on these roads if all cargo flights were fully loaded; if not, it would be 400 or more, not including fuel tankers to service the aircraft. How can the existing roads and locality cope with this increase? It seems likely to result in major incidents, apart from transforming the existing calm landscape and destroying the environment that visitors and residents have chosen.