News
31st Mar 2010
New Airport Shock
Sussex residents were stunned this week by suggestions that a former airfield close to the A23 might be developed into a major transport link with the continent.
Following the recent news that expansion at Gatwick in the near future is unlikely, the possible opportunities of a convenient continental link for passengers and freight has received some guarded support from businessmen in Burgess Hill.
However, other groups have reacted with horror at this possible increase in air traffic when reducing air pollution is considered high priority.
The site of the possible development is three miles west of the A23, near the village of Twineham. The grass runway was briefly used before WW2 as a link with France, but the airport closed in 1937 when money was given to develop Lydd Airport in Kent. It seems that upgrading to a hard runway would be feasible on the flat land of the Weald and the project would bring employment to Mid-Sussex.
Local businessman Mike Quibell said "it would be brilliant for us and a boost for the environment if our vans delivering printed materials to Abbeville could drop it off four miles away instead of having a 300 mile drive".
Twineham residents are keen to reclaim the name of the airport "Twineham and Wineham", but Burgess Hill leaders may also wish to claim the name of the airport as the nearest large town and in order to keep up with the Duponts in Abbeville.
