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New freight hub at Manston Airport approved
US land developer Riveroak Strategic Partners (RSP) has finally been given approval to redevelop Manston Airport into a cargo hub, despite long standing opposition from the planning inspectorate and community groups.
The redevelopment of the site, which RSP estimates will cost £500m, is intended to ease long term overcrowding in other London airports and could also ease congestion from lorries using the Channel Tunnel to reach European airports.
Logistics UK Policy Manager Alexandra Herdman welcomed the announcement: "Manston Airport, which will be a Carbon Net Zero cargo hub, has been waiting over five years for this decision. We look forward to working with our member businesses to see this development come to life, bringing jobs to the local area, as well as a new route for freight in and out of the UK."
Originally built with three “lanes” to handle emergencies during the Second World War, Manston Airport’s runway is among the widest in Europe. However, in the past it has not been deemed long enough to cope with freight aircraft at their maximum take-off weights. Since 2015, it has been used as an emergency lorry park in the event of temporary cross-Channel traffic problems.
Local MP Craig Mackinlay has welcomed the decision to approve the development plan, which could provide over 23,000 jobs to local employees and be used for the creation of cargo-only European flights. Planning and design work on the airport is expected to commence in the coming weeks, with construction work beginning late next year and services launching in early 2025.
*https://logistics.org.uk/air
Published On: 25/08/2022 16:00:00
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