Airport debated by MP’s. Peel say they have invested £40m.
https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/t...alley-15414343
More on the debate.
https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/t...e-ssi-15413499Ben Houchen on the airport
Mr Houchen has pledged to buy back Durham Tees Valley Airport - or Teesside Airport, as he calls it.
He was criticised in the debate over lack of transparency and progress over his attempts to do a deal. He responded by saying:
Almost 15 years since Labour flogged our airport for just £500,000, I’m pleased that MPs are now finally awake to the fact that Teesside Airport could close – something I’ve been saying for two years.
I’m clear that the only way to save our airport from closure is to bring it back under public ownership. I’ve been clear that I won’t give money to Peel for nothing in return.
I’ll soon be presenting my plan to save our airport very soon for Cabinet approval. My plan will be public, voted on, and won’t require a single penny from local council tax payers. We also have an established UK airport operator willing to step in if we reach a deal.
MP fears airport could close in 2021
Alex Cunningham also raises the issue of Durham Tees Valley Airport. He says he is concerned the airport will close unless Tees mayor Ben Houchen can deliver.
He saysThose plans to develop the airport are shrouded in secrecy. The parties involved are bound by confidentiality agreements.
And those of us who are asking questions on behalf of the people we represent are getting very limited answers.
We know some things though. That the £5m grant to create an access road to the south side of the airport to allow further development has been allowed to lapse. Why?
Mr Cunningham says a reply to his letter from Peel Group, which owns 90% of the airport, says the company has invested £40m in the loss-making airport.
He doesn’t actually confirm the airport will close in 2021 when the current arrangements run out but I fear that is exactly what is on the cards, if the mayor fails to sort this out