Islanders could sue over runway to nowhere

LONDON: Britain faces the prospect of compensation claims relating to the landing strip built on the remote island of St Helena as an overseas aid project.

The £285 million (R5bn) effort has been a flop because of severe problems with wind conditions on the British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Experts say it is possible the airport – which has become a symbol of Britain’s aid waste – will not be used.

Prince Andrew was due to open the project in May, but test pilots said it was too dangerous to use.

Residents had been promised that years of isolation would be ended and were encouraged to expand their tourist industry’s capacity. The government predicted St Helena would see an extra 30 000 tourists a year.

Some islanders say they have spent tens of thousands upgrading hotels, but these are standing empty.

The island’s UK-appointed governor, Lisa Phillips, has insisted the government “cannot be held liable” for the failure to open the airport.

A government source said any claim for compensation would be “premature”.

But ministers are also facing demands for an investigation.

St Helena’s legislative council voted this week for an independent inquiry.

Henry Lawson, a leading member of the council, said: “One has to question how such a monumental project can be carried out without doing these extensive tests beforehand.”

International Development Secretary Priti Patel, who has ordered a crackdown on aid waste, is establishing a panel of experts to establish how the airport can be made to work. – Daily Mail