Lydd Airport to Benefit Local Area
– Economic
Regeneration and a Boost in Employment for Local People.
Plans to turn Lydd Airport into an airport capable of 500,000 passengers per
annum have prompted a vocal response from both supporters and opponents.
Plans to extend the existing runway by 444 meters, and to build a replacement
terminal building are now with Shepway District Council and the airport expect
to hear a decision in the summer.
Zaher Deir, Managing Director for Lydd airport, says the plans will bring much
needed economic regeneration to the area and, perhaps most importantly, will
provide local people with local jobs and careers. “80% of our current staff are
from the local area and our development will create a large number of additional
jobs at the airport, not to mention further indirect jobs”
As more and more people use the airport, the road infrastructure will be
improved and Mr Deir adds “Junctions such as Hammonds Corner on the nearby A259
are already being considered for improvements and we’re leading talks with local
stakeholders to fund a roundabout there. This will not only benefit local
residents but also local businesses”
Opponents of the expansion are putting the jobs and the region’s economic
development at risk, but a modern, successful airport will attract new
companies, boost trade for local businesses and at the same time provide the
most acceptable solution to runway capacity in the South East. It is a fact that
more and more people are flying, and with the UK’s busiest airports nearing full
capacity, the emphasis is now focused on smaller regional airports to cater for
this rise in traffic.
Around £20m has already been spent on resurfacing the runway at Lydd, upgrading
instrument landing systems, the creation of an aircraft parking apron covering a
13 acre site, a new air traffic control system and newly refurbished VIP
terminal, as well as new departure and arrival facilities for commercial traffic
and establishing offices for Immigration and Customs.
It is our suggestion to local people, and people in the surrounding areas of
Kent to support the Lydd Airport Development and watch the region grow with it.
For more information on the airport development, go to
www.lydd-airport.co.uk or phone Jo
Oliver, Public Relations Executive on 01797 322463. jo.oliver@lydd-airport.co.uk
Article from Go Folkestone Newsletter June 2007
