This has been a big week for the airport. Lots of local and national media coverage. Even mentioned by the CEO of Ryanair who could be persuaded to return to Doncaster.
The Government have said they will back the airport but have not told us how. I have asked both Mayors exactly how they envisage this support. No response yet. Sadly I don’t think they will as I doubt that the “support“ on the table is any more than warm words. More on that below.
Ed Miliband has not opposed the proposed Heathrow expansion which damages the prospects of our airport. It was a great opportunity to help us and give a kickstart our economy. Bring the air traffic to Doncaster. Put the airport on the mainline so London is 90 minutes away by train. They say they want growth. Heathrow can’t deliver that for over 10 years (optimistic) but more likely 20-25 years time.
Rachel Reeves now says she supports the expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport. That’s unhelpful for DSA. She previously opposed it. You just don’t know where they stand from one year to the next.
Our Mayor still says South Yorkshire airport instead of Doncaster Sheffield Airport but does not ask for any regional support. She is right that it is a regional asset. So why isn’t the airport treated as such by the South Yorkshire Mayor? He’s taken £23 million of our money with the consent of our Mayor for Sheffields Supertrams. What’s good for Sheffield’s trams isn’t right for our airportapparently.
Why is the final decision on opening the airport still delayed? We were told this would be in February but now is delayed until the summer. Not even a date for that. Why is it being kicked into the long grass? Party politics? The summer is after the elections on 1st May when this Mayor and her Councillors seek to be re-elected.
I have personally written to the Chancellor for her help for our airport. I have made specific requests as to how she could help. £100m. Freeport. Abolition of Air Passenger Duty. This has also been sent to The Two Mayors. I will of course let you know when I have a reply from any of them.
Meanwhile the airport remains closed. Rent is still being paid. Dead money. The only good side is that grass doesn’t grow in January so we are not having to pay to cut that.
How can this Mayor have the gall to ask for your vote again? As Mayor I would be pushing hard , cutting through delay and obfuscation wherever I find it. We need the airport open and I am beginning to realise that Labour are never going to make that a reality.
