Petition to save 'Teesside Airport' from development taken to No10

A petition to save Durham Tees Valley Airport from development signed by more than 4,000 people is today being handed in to Downing Street

A petition to save "Teesside Airport" from development signed by more than 4,000 people is today being handed in to Downing Street.

It comes just days after publication of the final version of the masterplan aimed at securing the long-term future of Durham Tees Valley Airport.

Key proposals include new developments on the north and south sides of the runway to establish DTVA as a leader in aviation related business, and a mixture of offices and up to 400 homes.

But Chris and John Hobson, from Marton, who launched the online petition on change.org, say they have “no faith” in the masterplan.

The couple are borough councillors but are taking the petition to 10 Downing Street today as concerned residents.

Chris said: “We want it to be saved as an airport, not have it as a building development. And once the development starts, people are not going to want to live next to an airport.”

John added: “People have to voice their opinions. If you don’t try you don’t get anywhere.

“Without an airport this area can’t flourish.”

Among those who signed the petition was Jim Anderson, from Billingham, who said: “It’s a potentially valuable public asset in the long-term and once it’s gone it will never be possible to have it back.”

Passenger figures for the past three months show steady increases on the airport’s two key scheduled services to Amsterdam and Aberdeen.

Airport strategic planning director Peter Nears said the master plan reflects the commitment of Peel Airports to ensuring the future of air services at Durham Tees Valley.

He said: “Durham Tees Valley is no different from other smaller airports across the country in having to diversify income sources.

“People have been concerned for the future following the fall in passenger numbers over recent years but I hope that they will now see that this plan does set out a path which can lead to a more secure future for Durham Tees Valley.”

View the plan at http://ift.tt/1jTG0Hm