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Thank you for your letter, I am replying for my fellow candidate Franca
Ross as well as myself.
Our views on the airport are as follows:-
1. The likelihood of it being successful financially is similar to Manston
Airport. We know the history of Manston's attempt to become a passenger
airfield have largely failed and this despite already having the longest
runway in Europe. The new passenger airlines there have not succeeded,
although they are trying again we believe. It seems to us therefore
that the same will happen at Lydd. If we are correct, then there will
be no worthwhile job security at Lydd.
2. In any event we are suspicious of the job numbers promised. Assuming
the airport reaches its target of half a million passenger per annum,
using 300 seater aircraft, they will only land 1666 flights or 4 to
5 a day. We presume that means two out and two back. We cannot see where
500 jobs come from to process 4 planes a day. A couple of customs/immigration
officers and a few baggage handlers, plus aircraft handlers is about
it. The present control staff would probably handle the technical side.
So that leaves firemen and safety staff and security. It just does not
add up to 500 jobs in our view. Aircraft servicing will go out to specialist
firms elsewhere, unless the airport is planning to use Lydd as an aircraft
service base, which risk should be looked into.
3. The airport will undoubtedly if expanded harm the bird sanctuary.
4. There will huge disturbance to local residents from noise, flights
and traffic.
5. Where are the transport links to Ashford Station. Who is going to
get on an expensive high speed train to Ashford and then resort to coaches
to get from there to the airport. Unless a highly expensive direct link
rail service is provided, nobody will want to carry their baggage on
buses.
6. The nuclear power station will be at risk from these additional aircraft
and the risk og terrorism. Crashing an airliner into a nuclear power
station would be catastrophic, whatever the strength of the defences.
7. Overall the risk is that whatever the merits of the extension of
the runway, once that is done, someone will ALWAYS be seeking to make
money out of it and that means an ever increasing level of business,
ad infinitum, once they get permission. I can recall as a very small
boy being taken to Heath Row, when it had mostly grass runways. Mosts
flight until, the 50's went from Croydon. Now look at it, a city in
its own right. That will happen one day to Lydd, if the runway extension
goes ahead. It is just a question of when. Transpose this airport idea
to sleepy old Gatwich and Standsted village. ONce they were like Lydd.
Do locals want that. We think not and they should not be tempted by
the doubtful promise of a few jobs. Whilst jobs are important there
is more to this than just a few jobs. We know we will not be popualr
for saying that, but it is our belief.
The local Council will be in difficulties in influencing any nuclear
decisions. The government will do whatever it wants in this regard.
I have in the past raised directly as a councillor my concerns about
the risks to the reactor particularly during storms or tidal waves caused
by land collapse or undersea volcanic action, These concerns have been
rejected by the Power Station which claims to be immune from flooding,
notwithstanding the evidence of the great storm during teh middle ages
which flooded the whole Marsh, let alone global warming. We find this
ignoring of an ever increasing danger unacceptable. Now that it seems
to be government policy to think green, maybe the advice will change.
The questions must be asked by the councillors over and over again until
it is taken seriously.
Martin Ross
Franca Ross
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