Alderney has sent a clear message to its Guernsey based Deputies: “Our young families and future generations need your support”.
A six-minute film featuring the parents of young children living on Alderney is being shown to the Guernsey Deputies who are to decide on the future of the Island’s transport links.
The airport was out of action for part of this week, due to a damaged runway surface.
The film was commissioned by States of Alderney President William Tate and features estate agent director Beth Chapman, Ben Taylor and Lauren Lawrence who both work in the finance sector, father-of-three Dino Simeone who is manager of a plumbing supplier, international businesswoman Jeannie Cameron and Alderney-based businessman Ian Corder.
Their message to Deputies is that Alderney urgently needs an extended runway and a new terminal and fire station otherwise the Island will plunge into decline and end up costing the Bailiwick more.
Among their comments are:
- “It is all about future-proofing not just for me but for my children and their children”
- “It would open up a world of opportunity [for the Bailiwick]”
- “We must try to solve a number of risks that have accumulated in Alderney air services over the years and future-fit Alderney to stand on its own two feet”
Deputies are expected to debate the proposal at the end of November which, if approved, would resolve the issues of an end-of-life short runway and a dilapidated terminal building built in 1968 as well as provide savings on subsidies for its lifeline routes. In addition, a rejuvenated economy would increase the Bailiwick’s tax-take.
William said: “It is vitally important that we secure the future for our children and grandchildren, which we can only achieve by providing a long-term sustainable solution to what has been a real challenge for too many years. The key to our future economic success is fundamentally dependent on reliable, fit for purpose air links, which can only be guaranteed by extending the runway.”
