Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
Those of you like me who would like to go on holiday from a local airport, and also believe that Manston Airport could provide a major economic boost for East Kent, might like to sign the following e-petition on HM Government's website.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22102
Manston Airport- The Solution to Britain's Aviation Requirements
Responsible department: Department for Transport
-The Government should start to develop Manston Airport in Kent to be the solution to the current aviation requirements facing the United Kingdom, particularly those in the South East.
-The Government should do this as the airport already has a large runway and space to expand its existing facilities.
-The Government will need to do this to safeguard the other areas in Kent and the Thames Estuary that have been considered for a new airport.
-The Government needs to stop wasting Public money on New Airports and focus on this existing infrastructure.
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
Manston faces stiff opposition from many regional Airports. Judging from the letters pages of the popular and broad-sheet press.
It has the longest runway in the UK, as I understand it.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Guest 697- Registered: 13 Apr 2010
- Posts: 622
No quite the longest, Tom, but certainly in the top ten I believe.
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
Manston's problem as a passenger airport is its location. Unless you live this side of Ashford any of the London airports are easy to get to. No-one is likely to travel to Manston from the Home Counties, the Midlands or the West Country so I don't see its future in passenger flights.
Freight use would seem the best option but the people of 'Fannit' have spoken and have objected to any increase in flights at night so that will be a tricky one to pull off.
I am not sure what future it has as a commercial airfield.
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
I cannot argue with you on this point Kevin, but...
" SIR - The business leaders who are advocating building a new airport in the Thames Estuary do not live in the vicinity.
There is a perfectly good airport already in place, which just needs updating, as it already has the longest runway in the country. It also has access to high-speed rail. I refer, of course, to Manston.
Jean Willis
Wigmore, Kent "
From the Telegraph letters page...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/9504277/A-third-runway-at-Heathrow-would-not-resolve-the-lack-of-airport-capacity.htmlIgnorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
Mrs Nimby, Wigmore, Kent!!!

Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
Have I broken or upheld the Law of unintended consequences?
I beg the pardon of the Doverforum and JW, I did not wish to open-up a non contributor to scorn, however justified, or humorous, it may be.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i would like to see expansion at manston and lydd with a mix of freight and passenger traffic at both.
i think we will be still having discussions about those 2, boris island and a 3rd runway at heathrow in about 5 - 10 years time.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I think that Manston should be supported for expansion and night flights should be increased.
High-Speed rail, better road infrastructure, good existing runway are all in Manston's favour, but two commercial airlines - EUJet and FlyBe couldn't make it work, but I believe that was (in part)due to bad or non-existent marketing of East Kent - we need to advise travellers what there is to see and do here; we all know what the reasons are to fly to European destinations/countries, but few of those countries know what we have to offer them.
I'll sign that petition.
Roger
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
I doubt Gov. will take the petition into consideration, we have to cut down on carbon emissions.
Travel by bus, train, ferry!
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
a bus to singapore alex,your having a girafe.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Boris Island is the only long term option in my view. Anything else is fiddling around the edges.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Sorry Peter, I don't agree.
Manston would upset less people, bring a lot of local employment - in many fields, not just at the airport.
There are many people in Kent and East Sussex, South East London etc. who would travel to Manston to avoid the aggravation of flying from the two London giants. Worth it everytime.
Roger
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
Totally agree Roger, I've signed the petition too.
Boris island would have an devastating effect on wildlife in the area as well as spoiling one of the few areas in Kent that is natural and beautiful. Also what about the wreck of the Richard Montgomery? Surely an airport where Boris wants it would, or could unstablise the explosives on her and put the whole area around Sheppey in danger.
I'm a frequent visiter to the island and many times wartime mines have been dredged up by fishing boats and had to be detonated by the disposal squad. Manston is perfect and for those who oppose night flights just one word ...... MOVE!!
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
"Small is beautiful." Must surely be the guiding principle in all matters 'development' going forward?
Are we to see a Budapest new town spring up on either bank of the Thames Estuary to house the 'necessary' security personnel and their families to service Boris-Island?
I am not a great traveller/holidaymaker, but reading through the thoughts of those that are, and those with other airport related interests and expertise, in the press. I see the concern for growth and development is shared nationwide.
It is perhaps the time to regain an island-wide perspective for air-transport.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
not fully convinced manston the best option
or that more night flights a great idea
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
kieth,#17 thats a bit negative isnt it.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
There is more wildlife in Sipson than in the middle of the Thames estuary.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
nowt negative brian
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS