Even bad PMS can get it right

Chris Lowe’s call for support to overturn the government’s decision on Manston airport [‘How could they ignore advice?’, Letters, July 23] may be welcomed by those appalled by its mishandling of the Covid19 pandemic or those to its insistence on a hard Brexit. But the worst of prime ministers can sometimes get a decision right – Mussolini famously made the trains run on time. Reopening Manston airport is right – good locally, good nationally and good for the environment.

Manston has a superb runway (the 10th longest civilian runway in the UK) and one of the widest in Europe. Green economics means using existing resources where we can. As a mainly freight airport Manston can take some of the pressure off Heathrow and Gatwick; it would be crazy to build an additional runway at either of these (or Boris Island) when we have Manston.

The EU Jet attempt some years ago to get a major share of passenger traffic for Manston failed; it was too ambitious and never had a full summer season – but it established there was some local demand. It would be good for eastern Kent if fewer holiday-flyers had to grapple with the M25 to get to a London airport because they could drive the shorter distance to Manston. Again, a win for the environment.

Manston could also be developed as a centre for decommissioning and dismantling obsolete aircraft, an industry with good potential for employment generation and development of technical skills; it is an ideal site for the commercial development of inner space and rocket technology.

I lived in St Nicholas-at-wade and Manston villages as a child, and do appreciate that there will be some local communities suffering from aircraft noise. But, looked at nationally, every flight to Heathrow flies low over many times more people in west London than a Manston flight would do here. Against that, Thanet people (and many in neighbouring areas such as Herne Bay and Sturry) could gain from year-round skilled jobs; Kent’s coastal resorts are too dependent on precarious summer jobs.

There are much better antigovernment causes for which Chris Lowe can appeal for funds.

Michael Steed

Fordwich Rd, Sturry