Last chance to sign - being presented in Parliament. Manston Airport is closed and under threat of becoming used for housing. We have formed an action group to return Manston back to a popular, viable regional airfield. Over 15,700 of our supporters have signed one petition alone. We have had the invaluable help and support of local MPs Sir Roger Gale and Laura Sandys, as well as political cross-party backing. The closure has resulted in the loss of 140 jobs and has affected a number of associated businesses. The Museums remain open but have an uncertain future. It seems that the owners want to use the site for housing or a “Garden City”. The current owners of the airport, Ann Gloag (co-founder of the Stagecoach Group) and Pauline Bradley rejected bids (including one at the asking price) for the airport from an experienced company determined to make the airport work. At present Thanet District Council, with Iris Johnston as the new leader who fully supports the airport, is considering a Compulsory Purchase Order. We believe that the area needs a thriving airport, jobs before houses, and an airport owner who will invest and involve us as a community. Some facts about Manston: Former RAF Manston Airport is almost 100 years old and played an important role through both world wars and the Cold War. It is also home to the Spitfire & Hurricane and RAF Manston museums. It has one of the longest and widest runways in the country making it invaluable as a diversionary airport for aircraft in difficulties and also when sending Humanitarian Aid abroad. Regularly used for flight testing and crew training including recently the British Airways’ A380 & 787 Dreamliners. Popular with cargo and freight carriers because of the quick turnaround by the excellent ground staff. It is one of the few airports in the country to hold a licence for the dismantling & recycling of aircraft. Bristow Helicopters are due to be based at Manston in 2015 to run the new Search and Rescue service. Manston air shows have attracted thousands of visitors and Manston is used as a base for other air shows including use by the Red Arrows. It is an airport close to Europe with excellent new road & rail links that make it quicker to fly from than other London airports, and is close to two ports. Manston could be used as a freight/small packet air-road-rail-sea hub (whilst still including passenger services), taking some away from the London airports. This would then free up valuable runway space at Heathrow and Gatwick.
Posted on: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 16:42:10 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015