MANSTON -3
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Why didn't freight work so well? Because those firemen did all the unloading of cargo aircraft, leaving to deal with other things, they all had to stay for the late night arrivals (when allowed) on overtime. Due to staff and ramp space only one aircraft could be unloaded at a time and the ramp equipment was ancient and always breaking; management bought some cheap fueling steps that took months to come into service as it had the wrong tow bar, wrong connectors and wasn't self braked, meaning buying new parts and wasn't a priority compared to the broken down high loads and tugs the 1 guy in MT was working on. But despite this, except when equipment broke unloading(or caught fire) crews were really impressed with the speed of turnaround.
Those are more the reason what could have been a busy cargo hub failed with previous owners
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You are looking at the wrong line, I think. The journey time from London Liverpool Street to Southend Airport station is 53 minutes. Journey time from Stratford station to Southend Airport is 44 minutes.
Taxi Ramsgate to Manston is 3 miles and about 6 minutes by taxi, quicker than walking at say Heathrow or Gatwick (for me at least).
Manston Parkway station is already funded, right by Manston Airport.
Last edited by DrBeauWebber; 28th Jul 2015 at 23:00.
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Manston Frieght Hub?
The owners of Manston airport are set to sign a contract to use the site as an emergency lorry park during Operation Stack.
Sources have told KentOnline the owners of the site are ready to sign a three-month deal with the Department for Transport, with the option of it being renewed on a monthly basis.
An announcement is expected to be made on Monday.
Manston airport set for key role in Operation Stack
Sources have told KentOnline the owners of the site are ready to sign a three-month deal with the Department for Transport, with the option of it being renewed on a monthly basis.
An announcement is expected to be made on Monday.
Manston airport set for key role in Operation Stack
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Not just the French ferry workers blocking the ports
Campaigners fighting to save a disused airport have threatened to use direct action to stop it being used as a lorry park during cross-Channel disruption.
Calais crisis: Manston Airport group threatens lorry park blockade - BBC News
Calais crisis: Manston Airport group threatens lorry park blockade - BBC News
Ruth Bailey, of Save Manston Airport, said it was likely the group would block entrances and lie on the runway. She told BBC Radio Kent: "How ridiculous. It's the holiday season, the height of the holiday season and Thanet relies on tourism for its trade. It's going to completely block all the roads people are going to think twice about coming to our beautiful beaches."
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This is baffling. How could the council possibly have validly reached a positive impression of the validity of the financial guarantees offered when they don't even know this? The answer is that clearly they hadn't, yet politicians were talking as if the matter was resolved.
I thought they were just combining incompetence and electioneering with the infectious over hopefulness that has consumed people like Dr B W, but this is a truly bizarre turn.
I thought they were just combining incompetence and electioneering with the infectious over hopefulness that has consumed people like Dr B W, but this is a truly bizarre turn.
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Manston Airport: Why I shut it by owner Ann Gloag
Interesting side of the story, just who do you believe?
Manston Airport: Why I shut it by owner Ann Gloag | Thanet Gazette
Manston Airport: Why I shut it by owner Ann Gloag | Thanet Gazette
I thought Gloag had sold the airport has this fallen through?
So didn't discover the extent of the problems until after they'd bought it? Should have read Pprune....
So didn't discover the extent of the problems until after they'd bought it? Should have read Pprune....
2. Would you have bought it if you'd known you would have to close it just months later?
We wanted to make it a success and didn't buy it to close it. Our whole team worked tirelessly to secure new business for the airport but no new operators considered it a viable option.
It was only when our aviation team arrived at Manston that we started to discover the scale of the problems, and the situation was exacerbated when expansion opportunities with Ryanair and cargo operators failed to materialise.
3. Was it ever said by you that you would keep it running for two years – as is claimed by Sir Roger Gale? And if so why did you go back on that?
Sir Roger, among others, was told we fully intended to work for two years to try and turn around the airport but when the extent of the problems became clear, and no new customers were forthcoming, the stark reality of the continuing losses meant we had to make the difficult decision to close.
We wanted to make it a success and didn't buy it to close it. Our whole team worked tirelessly to secure new business for the airport but no new operators considered it a viable option.
It was only when our aviation team arrived at Manston that we started to discover the scale of the problems, and the situation was exacerbated when expansion opportunities with Ryanair and cargo operators failed to materialise.
3. Was it ever said by you that you would keep it running for two years – as is claimed by Sir Roger Gale? And if so why did you go back on that?
Sir Roger, among others, was told we fully intended to work for two years to try and turn around the airport but when the extent of the problems became clear, and no new customers were forthcoming, the stark reality of the continuing losses meant we had to make the difficult decision to close.
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I thought Gloag had sold the airport has this fallen through?
Last edited by DrBeauWebber; 16th Aug 2015 at 12:59.
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Message from Sir Roger Gale
Member of Parliament for Thanet North
I am pleased to confirm that RiverOak have placed $2.000.000 in their clients account with their solicitors, Wragge and Co., to cover the costs of the CPO process (which is all that needs to be covered at present).
This raises the total current deposit to about £1.5 million and the sum will be topped up to £2 million when the indemnity agreement with TDC is signed.
The sum (which will then be placed in escrow) will not be allowed to fall below £1 million during the process and further funds will, of course, be provided if the CPO is successful and following “vesting” in order to purchase and restore the airfield to operational capacity.
RiverOak have had £250,000 on deposit with their solicitors for some time and remain ready, willing and able to meet TDC costs (including those incurred by the previous administration and for which they have no responsibility whatsoever!) immediately upon the submission, by TDC, of proper invoices. My understanding is that such invoices have yet to be provided by TDC.
Much has been made, by the opponents of the airport and by Cllr. Carter, of the fact that KCC have not seen the RiverOak business plan. This will, of course, have to be submitted and scrutinised by an Inspector at a full public inquiry, prior to any grant of a CPO, at the appropriate time. They would scarcely wish to proceed, would they, if they were not confident that their plan is sound?!
Roger Gale
11 August 2015
TDC Website :
Update added Wednesday 12 August:
The Council was today (Wednesday 12 August) informed by Riveroak’s solicitors that they (Riveroak’s solicitors) have received £1,325,000 from Riveroak. The solicitors also said that they will be providing additional information to Thanet District Council to assist in its review of the appointment of Riveroak as an indemnity partner.
Update added Friday 14 August:
The council has today (Friday 14 August) received via its solicitors, a letter and attachments from Riveroak's solicitors.
The council will be reviewing this information with its solicitors next week and will revert back to Riveroak's solicitors with any questions after that discussion.
Member of Parliament for Thanet North
I am pleased to confirm that RiverOak have placed $2.000.000 in their clients account with their solicitors, Wragge and Co., to cover the costs of the CPO process (which is all that needs to be covered at present).
This raises the total current deposit to about £1.5 million and the sum will be topped up to £2 million when the indemnity agreement with TDC is signed.
The sum (which will then be placed in escrow) will not be allowed to fall below £1 million during the process and further funds will, of course, be provided if the CPO is successful and following “vesting” in order to purchase and restore the airfield to operational capacity.
RiverOak have had £250,000 on deposit with their solicitors for some time and remain ready, willing and able to meet TDC costs (including those incurred by the previous administration and for which they have no responsibility whatsoever!) immediately upon the submission, by TDC, of proper invoices. My understanding is that such invoices have yet to be provided by TDC.
Much has been made, by the opponents of the airport and by Cllr. Carter, of the fact that KCC have not seen the RiverOak business plan. This will, of course, have to be submitted and scrutinised by an Inspector at a full public inquiry, prior to any grant of a CPO, at the appropriate time. They would scarcely wish to proceed, would they, if they were not confident that their plan is sound?!
Roger Gale
11 August 2015
TDC Website :
Update added Wednesday 12 August:
The Council was today (Wednesday 12 August) informed by Riveroak’s solicitors that they (Riveroak’s solicitors) have received £1,325,000 from Riveroak. The solicitors also said that they will be providing additional information to Thanet District Council to assist in its review of the appointment of Riveroak as an indemnity partner.
Update added Friday 14 August:
The council has today (Friday 14 August) received via its solicitors, a letter and attachments from Riveroak's solicitors.
The council will be reviewing this information with its solicitors next week and will revert back to Riveroak's solicitors with any questions after that discussion.
Last edited by DrBeauWebber; 16th Aug 2015 at 13:02. Reason: additional information