Airport Consultation Report
On 9th April 2009, DFID issued a consultation document on whether an airport is the most appropriate option for access to St Helena in the current economic climate. The consultation period ran until 31st July. The Three Options of the consultation were as follows:
a) Proceed with an airport
b) Commission a new ship
c) To defer the decision for five years.
Many will remember Rosemary Stevenson, the Consultation Facilitator visiting St Helena in June 2009 and Ascension in July 2009.
Rosemary has now completed her consultation report and it was released on the DFID website on 28th October. This report can also be found on the Access Website and hard copies will be available for reading in the Public Library in Jamestown from Monday, 9th November.
Consultation report on whether an airport is the most appropriate option for access to St Helena in the current economic climate
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander on 28 October made a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament:
"I announced on 16 March Official Report, column 40WS, a public consultation on options for access to the island. The consultation has now been completed. A report summarising the responses that were received is now available on the Department for International Development website.
"We will consider carefully the views submitted in the consultation, taking into account the current economic conditions."
You can download the consultation report here.
Ascension and Falklands Visit
Sharon Wainwright, SHG’s Access Project Manager, will depart St Helena for Ascension Island on the RMS today in preparation for Rosemary Stevenson’s airport consultation visit.
Rosemary will join Sharon on Ascension on the 24th July and following a programme of meetings there, they will fly on to the Falkland Islands on the 27th July.
Sharon says she hopes as many Saints as possible take the opportunity to speak with Rosemary during her visit.
She goes on to say that given the importance of the consultation, and the impact the outcome will have on the future of St Helena, she would urge as many Saints as possible, and other interested parties who are living on Ascension and the Falklands to take the opportunity to meet with Rosemary to express their views on the access options.
Meanwhile, His Excellency Governor Gurr and Sharon will be hosting a public meeting at Two Boats Club on Monday evening, the 13th July. The objective of the meeting is to discuss any issues and to answer any outstanding questions relating to any of the three access options that DFID have identified.
Posted on 10 July 2009
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