MP to raise Robin Hood Airport access road in commons today
17.07.06
A debate is due to be held in the House of Commons today on the poor road access to Robin Hood Airport. Jeff Ennis, MP for Barnsley East and Mexborough, is planning to raise the issue days after a 10-year Government programme of transport for Yorkshire and the Humber included no mention of the £72m Finningley and Rossington regeneration route scheme.
Council bosses remain optimistic that work will begin on the M18 airport link road in 2009 and have advertised for a national or international firm to develop the plans on a design and build basis. The road is seen as key to the success of the airport and regeneration of the area.
Mr Ennis has the support of Rotherham MP Denis McShane, who said: 'It is a scandal that the Department of Transport and the regional authorities have left this important new UK airport with the worst transport links of any airport in Europe.
'From a business and tourist point of view it is a disgrace that this new airport is allowed to be opened with such poor road or rail access. There is neither a motorway spur nor a designated high-quality road, still less a railway line. Finding your way to Robin Hood Airport early on a dark winter morning is like being lost in a maze. The road signs are terrible.'
