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Tory MP urges minister to act swiftly over Southend Airport plan (From Echo)
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Tory MP urges minister to act swiftly over Southend Airport plan
12:40am Saturday 30th January 2010
A TORY MP put pressure on a Government minister to make a swift decision over Southend Airport’s £30million expansion plans.
James Duddridge questioned Communities Secretary John Denham in the Commons after the controversial proposals to extend the airport runway were backed by Southend Council’s development control committee.
Before the plan was considered, Mr Denham decided to take the final decision away from the council and either give the go-ahead, or call a public inquiry to scrutinise the plan.
Speaking in the Commons, Mr Duddridge, Rochford and Southend East MP, urged Mr Denham to consider the plan quickly and make a decision.
He told the minister: “It would be helpful to the local community if he could tell us roughly when he will make a decision on that matter, and whether there will be a need for a public inquiry. The sooner the better.”
However, Mr Denham would not be drawn on the issue and said it was inappropriate to comment.
Airport operator, the Stobart Group, hopes to have the runway extension complete to take advantage of the 2012 London Olympics.
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Your Say YourEcho
Thames Gateway, S-O-S says...
9:33am Sat 30 Jan 10
On an issue of such importance to the local economy, the MP needs to be able to see the wood from the trees. James has done this. Well done!
More than can be said for Amess.
vanilla ice, Rochford says...
11:20am Mon 1 Feb 10
vanilla ice, Rochford says...
11:43am Mon 1 Feb 10
emcee wrote:Prison, with luck
The Communities Secretary better hurry up because he won't be Communities Secretary much longer and we will all have to wait until the new Communities Secretary settles into his job. Mind you at least, then, James Duddridge will be able to pester him from within.
emcee, Southend says...
12:44pm Mon 1 Feb 10
vanilla ice wrote:I trust you will not be voting for your local Tory candidate then.
After thieving off the tax payers (but he was only following orders) like the rest of his slime ball mates, how could anybody trust anything this creep does or says, his just found another pocket to put his hand in, if he had any principles he would have resigned, he would be an asset on the board of stobart with his track record.
Soozie, says...
1:19pm Mon 1 Feb 10
emcee wrote:Vote Tory? Surely you jest.
vanilla ice wrote: After thieving off the tax payers (but he was only following orders) like the rest of his slime ball mates, how could anybody trust anything this creep does or says, his just found another pocket to put his hand in, if he had any principles he would have resigned, he would be an asset on the board of stobart with his track record.I trust you will not be voting for your local Tory candidate then.
James Duddridge
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emcee, Southend says...
3:00am Sat 30 Jan 10