The report has now been published, and it does indeed take into account the considerable amount of support expressed for the airport facilities. Sources advise us that some 6,000 responses were made and that 92% [figures corrected 26/04/01] of them were in favour of retaining the airport in one form or another. The report introduces an alternative option C which would result in limited development but with the retention and paving of runway 02/20.

The response of the Medway council economic development committee to this? Last Tuesday they voted to pursue option E - complete redevelopment of the site and the complete loss of the airfield. The voting was split across party political lines, with Labour and Lib/Dems voting against the airport. This stubborn refusal to listen to the overwhelming majority of people who responded to the poll that they commissioned also flies in the face of government guidelines in PPG13 which require them to consider the economic benefit of the airfield.

If you want to express your support further then write direct to Medway councillors who oppose the airport giving a reasoned and measured opinion on why the airport would fulfil their objectives for economic development over the long term. You can also subscribe to Pilots and Friends of Rochester Airport (PAFRA) - doing so will swell the fighting fund of this airport that will continue to resist any and all moves to close it.