AIRPORT UPDATE
Two very important developments to let you know about. A financial alert and a parliamentary debate. Be aware that this is a fairly long update. I have also a video I did in October 2022 on the day of the last TUI flight. Our airport matters so much. We must get it reopened. https://www.facebook.com/NickFletcherMP/videos/1390395768609903
FINANCIAL ALERT
Now that Doncaster Council have announced that they will take on the financing of the airport, the auditors have written to the Council. They have expressed concerns.
I share that concern as it seems wrong to me that a regional airport should not be funded regionally. This week there was a meeting in Sheffield about the airport. The Mayor of Doncaster did not take that opportunity to press for regional funding. A real opportunity missed.
As Mayor I will be campaigning hard for a regional airport such as Doncaster’s to be funded regionally. After all, they intend to rename it as South Yorkshire Airport. How more regional can it be?
We have seen regional funding put in place for Sheffield’s Supertrams at a cost to public funds of 5 x that estimated for the airport. It’s less money. It provides a far better economic return by miles and it’s common sense.
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE - LET’S MAKE IT WORK!
Great news that a parliamentary debate about the airport has been secured for 25th February. We need to make sure though that it is well attended. There were less MPs than the fingers on one hand at the debate for the Hospital in January.
I have therefore written to the Secretary of State for Transport as well as all the 14 MPs in South Yorkshire asking them to attend the debate. Government has offered their full support for the airport but still not said what it will be. I have set out ways in which Government support could help in my letter to the Chancellor. My letter is attached in the comments.
It is also important that we establish that this regional airport which underpins the entire regional economy when open should be funded by the region. At present the entire financial burden falls on Doncaster at the expense of many projects that will now be scrapped. That can’t be right. Especially when the region is paying for Sheffield’s Supertrams which give no economic benefit to over half the region.
If Labour really want Growth as they say they do, then it’s a no brainer to support the reopening of our Airport. Hopefully the Transport Minister will be there and not just the junior minister.
