'Scrap this talk of new airport' (From Barry And District News)

'Scrap this talk of new airport'

STOP messing about over the future of Cardiff Airport.

That's the plea from Vale Assembly Member David Melding after news that the government is once again looking at the prospect of a huge Severnside airport between Newport and the Severn Bridge.

The future of Cardiff Wales airport could be in jeopardy if that scheme went ahead. Mr Melding is calling for the Severnside scheme to be ruled out, and a commitment made instead to building a new access road to Rhoose.

Many experts believe such a road would have a big impact on the future prosperity of Barry by easing current traffic problems around the town.

Mr Melding said: "There was surprise in the Assembly when the government again raised the prospect of a Severnside airport.

"Only last month, the Assembly's South East Wales Regional Committee met at Cardiff International Airport (CIA) and the Assembly's First Minister Rhodri Morgan dismissed calls for a Severnside airport.

"The Department of Transport should not includee the Severnside project in its forthcoming consultation paper on the future of air travel."

"This decision will inevitably put the long-term future of the CIA in doubt. What we should be doing is backing the CIA fully by promising to build a new airport access road."

The airport has already suffered a drop in use as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks in America.

Mr Melding has written to Rhodri Morgan, demanding that he speaks to Labour Party colleagues in the department.

He added: "I want Mr Morgan to put an end to this damaging speculation. I will stress to him the need for the Assembly to commit itself to funding the access road. Such positive commitment would stop all fanciful speculation about a Severnside airport."