Economic Development in bid for control of runway
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT is attempting to seize political control of the runway extension from Policy & Resources.
An amendment to P&R’s review of strategic and air sea links infrastructure is set to be placed by ED president Charles Parkinson and seconded by Deputy Peter Ferbrache, his predecessor.
It is set to be debated in the States today after Deputy Parkinson’s general update to the Assembly yesterday, in which he said: ‘At this meeting, the States has an opportunity to send a clear signal to business that it is willing to invest further in our economy, in relation to the airport runway.
‘By rejecting the Policy & Resources Committee’s position, and exploring in detail the pros and cons of an extension to the airport runway, we will be saying we are willing to consider greater investment in our economic future.’
Transport connectivity remains one of the committee’s critical priorities, according to Deputy Parkinson, and he considers that it is the most appropriate States body to commission further work on the technical, regulatory, environmental and economic business case for the extension of the runway.
‘[Economic Development] will undertake the work impartially and will bring the findings of this further work back to the States in a timely manner,’ he said.
While many of the discussions thus far have focused on whether or not an extension is needed to the runway, Deputy Parkinson wants to see the business case developed so members can make an informed decision.
