David Parkin on airports and an offer you can’t refuse

YOU’D think organisations representing the region’s business would have plenty of burning issues on which to focus on behalf of their members.

Recession, funding and skills spring to mind as key things that bother people running businesses.

And of course, that hardy perennial, transport.

Whether it is improving road and rail links in and out of our region to making sure our airports add more destinations, there is more than enough to keep our business lobbying groups busy.

Which is why it is surprising to see the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is currently collecting signatures for a petition calling for a review of the future of the former Sheffield City Airport, which is due to be redeveloped as a business park.

The airport was closed in 2008, but the FSB “is convinced that it has a future as a regional airport”.

What a complete waste of time.

Why do business people in South Yorkshire need an airport in Sheffield when they have Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport in Doncaster and are less than an hour’s drive from both East Midlands and Manchester airports with Leeds Bradford Airport not that much further either?

According to the FSB it “maintains that the Sheffield City Region has a paramount need for a city airport in order to attract inward investment and meet the development needs of the business community which, as the economy pulls out of recession, will urgently need to improve its connectivity to global markets”.

Is anybody willing to invest in developing another airport in Sheffield? Do any airlines have an appetite to operate flights from there?

The response of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce provides a dose of reality.

It says that its research shows that an airport in Sheffield is “unviable”.

Richard Wright, executive director of the chamber, said: “As a Chamber we decided there were lots of desirables, but we needed to focus on those which gave the best return and a comprehensive infrastructure accepting that both resources and demand were finite.
 
“We decided to focus on better road links, partly to help ease congestion in the city; better rail performance to London, through electrification of Midland Mainline; better rail services to Manchester; and the creation of a viable airport with good links to the whole region.

“We do not believe the region can support two airports. We have worked hard to support the wider business plan for Doncaster Sheffield Airport built around passengers, freight and businesses.”

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MY recent comment about law firms and umbrellas has ensured our office is now equipped for wet weather thanks to generous deliveries of brollies from Ward Hadaway and Simon Stell the top man at Last Cawthra Feather.

It prompted one of my colleagues, a lady who enjoys the odd night out, to ask: “Can’t you write about something else in future – like champagne?”

Which did make me think that I currently am in the market for a car. Surely a top quality car leasing business or car dealer would want to consider doing me a deal?

Think what an ambassador I could be in your motor – fair minded, never bitter, poised and elegant.

OK, I’ll get the bus.

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