With current rail strikes causing increased pressure on our roads, the situation further demonstrates the need for improved travel infrastructure, including the contribution from the airport site. This will ensure that Plymouth isn’t cut off from the rest of the country, says new Council Leader.
This week is set to be difficult for those wanting to travel to, through or from Plymouth to other parts of the South West and beyond.
The rail strikes that we have seen this week have again highlighted the vulnerability of the south west peninsula and the reliance that is placed on the rail network.
Plymouth is a city with big ambitions and we have already seen significant investment in a number of sectors, including advanced manufacturing, health and marine.
In order for the city to continue to grow and to compete at a national and international level, significant investment is needed to strengthen access and connectivity to and from Plymouth.
Plymouth City Council is working closely with partners across the region to promote and secure radical improvements to the quality and resilience of Plymouth’s road and rail connectivity. This includes the maintenance and enhancement of the A38, the ongoing call for investment in better rail connectivity, including the building and financing of a high speed train fleet for the South West.
However, in addition to this, the new Council Leader has now instructed officers to step-up their efforts on securing control of the former Plymouth airport site.
Councillor Richard Bingley, said:
“For us to be able to grow and importantly thrive, enticing new businesses to Plymouth and attract higher value jobs for local people, we cannot allow the city to become an island – cutting it off from the rest of the South West and beyond.
“Whilst we will continue to lobby for investment across the whole transport infrastructure, it is clear to me now that the airport issue needs to be resolved once and for all. Reiterating what I said at the full-Council meeting this week, the airport site and a modern aviation solution was, and remains, a core priority for this council.
“The airport closed in 2011 and has remained unused since that time. I am keen that we take action now to ensure that the site can make an important contribution towards the city’s future.
“That is why I have instructed officers to ensure that the Council acquires control of the airport site. I have repeatedly met with council officers and key industry stakeholders to set out our ambitions in this space, and whilst I appreciate it is a difficult situation - I remain determined to resolve the lease issue and I am hopeful that a solution can be found.
“Last year we have made funding available in the capital programme to continue these negotiations with Sutton Harbour Holdings and I would like this work to continue at pace.”
The majority of the freehold of the airport site is owned by Plymouth City Council but is subject to a long lease to Plymouth City Airport Ltd (PCAL), who also own the freehold of a small part of the site. PCAL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sutton Harbour Group. The site is currently safeguarded for aviation uses in the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan.