Council blames Government for failure over Newquay Airport
Cornish politicians have questioned why the Government will not allow military personnel to remain at Newquay Airport so it can stay open.
Stephen Gilbert, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Newquay and St Austell said: "It's outrageous that the Government won't let the RAF staff stay on in Newquay for just the next couple of weeks.
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"Any closure at the airport, however temporary, will cause many people difficulties as they look to sort out Christmas travel plans and it is, frankly, an added problem that Cornish businesses who rely on the airport just don't need right now.
"Questions must be asked about why the airport wasn't ready in time, but the priority must be to get normal services running as quickly as possible."
North Cornwall MP Dan Rogerson said: "The RAF's primary responsibility is defence and they have got a huge overseas commitment to deal with.
"What must be remembered is that Cornwall County Council has undertaken a huge task which has never been tried before in the UK.
"If they were experiencing problems every day with the airport, then yes questions should be asked, but in all honesty this is a very complex operation."
Mr Rogerson did not believe the set-back would affect tourism. Around 400,000 passengers use the airport every year.
Lee Jameson, Labour candidate for Newquay and St Austell, commented: "The latest failure of local Lib Dems to run Newquay Airport properly is yet another sign of their incompetence. It is about time some one finally took responsibility.
"To have reached such a late stage before announcing that they can't hit their own deadline to give our airport a civilian air traffic control service is ridiculous. The head of the council Cllr David Whalley and Cllr Andrew Mitchell should at the very least issue an apology to local people, and better men might even resign over such abysmal failure."
Mebyon Kernow also slammed the Lib Dem run county council for failing to deliver the handover of the airport in time.
Andrew Long, chair of the South East Cornwall branch of the party, said: "This is just another debacle from this discredited regime. First there was the shameful decision on a unitary council, despite the overwhelming opposition of the people of Cornwall, then the incinerator issue which ignored the wishes of the people of Mid Cornwall, and now this embarrassment that will undoubtedly adversely affect the economy at this critical time."
Fellow MK councillor Glenn Renshaw added: "This is just incredible. The council has known for years that a CAA licence would be required, and also knew when the RAF would leave, and still they managed to mess this up."
Conservative shadow minister for Cornwall Mark Prisk also criticised the county council for its handling of the airport.
He said: “This is a tale of woeful incompetence by Cornwall County Council. Newquay Airport is vital to the businesses of Cornwall, let alone to attracting visitors.
“For the council to miss a long-known deadline, forcing the airport to shut for three weeks, begs serious questions for the council’s management.”
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by rob ross, redruth
Thursday, December 11 2008, 2:05PM
“and the 6,000,000 pounds wasted on consultants Will ccc ask for our money back i doubt it, money for the boys no matter how much they screw up. Of course with unitary forced on us in April we will see a reduction as promised on our council tax.....ooops was that a flying pig? no their grounded”
by c a swift, hayle
Thursday, December 04 2008, 1:30AM
“I THINK IT WAS VERY UNFAIR OF RYANAIR TO COMPARE CCC AIRPORT OPERATIONS WITH THE "KEYSTONE COPS".
THE KEYSTONE COPS ALWAYS GOT THE JOB DONE DESPITE FALLING AROUND .
CCC HAVE WASTED SQILLIONS OF OUR MONEY PLAYING AT AIRPORTS AND HAVE NO HOPE OF EVER MAKING IT PAY.GET THE WALLIES OUT AT THE NEXT ELECTIONS,AND GET SOME SENSIBLE INPUT INTO THE SYSTEM BEFORE THE ANNUAL LOSSES GO FROM 2 TO 5 MILLION PER YEAR.”
by Barry Wallond, Spitfire Corner
Monday, December 01 2008, 12:08PM
“All things being equal and if CCC can sort this mess out, 20th December is the absolute earliest date that Nqy Airport could open.
IF the remaining ATC equipment can be installed and certified by the CAA, IF ATC controllers can be trained in time on this new equipment and again, be certified by the CAA and, IF all the other remaining issues on the Airfield can be addressed and passed by the CAA,.................. 3 weeks looks a bit tight doesn't it?”
by Michael, Penzance
Monday, December 01 2008, 11:10AM
“Apparently the `RAF offered to cover the takeover period and train new staff but CCC refused saying they had it covered. If this is true then they are even more stupid than I thought. In my many dealings with the council I have come to the conclusion that you couldn't run a company the way CCC is run; it would be on its knees in weeks!”
by NIC, PENZ
Sunday, November 30 2008, 12:46PM
“LETS BLAME THE HOLIDAY MAKERS!!!!!!!”
by Paul, Altarnun, Cornwall
Friday, November 28 2008, 9:59PM
“Guess what? The CCC are playing the hero's get this from their airport website - "Coach Services Available to Bristol and Bournemouth
Ryanair has not offered to provide replacement services. Newquay Cornwall Airport (without any responsibility to do so) has independently taken the decision to provide a shuttle coach service to Bristol, Bournemouth and Stansted between the period of 1 December to 19 December 2008." Well that's just fine and dandy but who is picking up the bill? My guess?
The Council Tax payers in Cornwall !”
by Duncan Tribute, Truro
Friday, November 28 2008, 9:05PM
“The observation of Colonel Legin, of Plymouth was correct that the MoD were some few years ago considering placing the new JSF strike aircraft at St Mawgan, but Cornwall Country Council, who alone were consulted by MoD, turned it down, without reference to the Corwall district councils, because it was thought to be noisy! At least it would have guaranteed the continuance of the airfield and if Frankfurt in Germany can operate both military and civilian flight out of the same facility, then it would not be difficult to accommodate both activities here at St Mawgan. Incompetence reeks from County Hall in this matter, with a lot of sitting on hands. It would be just deserts if Michael O'Leary decided not to re-instate his Ryanair service come the re-opening. Looks like a shooting party is called for!”
by Clive , Lanlivery, Lanlivery
Friday, November 28 2008, 4:52PM
“Sorry Stephen but this time you have got it wrong and you will not get many votes by blaming the government rather than recognising where the real responsibility lies. Accountability, accountability and accountability!”
by ALAN A RAWLINSON, perranarworthal
Friday, November 28 2008, 4:13PM
“The hysteria about sacking someone is a sideshow. The main concern is to get a stable, reliable, and sustainable airport back asap. Confidence is the key.
Apart from the immediate inconvenience, ( I have lost 4 flights already booked) there is the much more important future growth, and prospects for the welfare of Cornwall travellers and the Cornwall economy to consider. The Newquay airport has been a magnet spreading benefits far and wide, and in many unforseen ways, promoting travel,business, and the all important tourist trade.
My fear now is that this major glitch could turn out to be much more serious and on going to the complete detriment of the area. If the airport delay extends, or if there are further unacceptable announcements by the council, the airlines and the business community will write it off - they have other options.
In short, I smell a bigger disaster in the offing, and hope that I am wrong.
Alan Rawlinson
Ryanair's No 1 fan.”
by David, St Austell
Friday, November 28 2008, 3:42PM
“I agree with Colin the Lib Dems are ruining this county whith their pathetic mismanagement and attempting to offload the blame onto someone else.This is the same council which forced an unwanted unitary council on us with the leader paid more than the Prime Minister. Come on Cornish voters get rid of this lot.”