On Tuesday last week I was delighted to attend the first
ever Cornwall Expo, hosted by Cornwall Council and the Local Enterprise
Partnership (the LEP). Held over two
days in one of the hangars at the Aerohub at Newquay Airport, the Expo launched
the next round of European funding for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
I was particularly struck by the energy and optimism at the
event, there was a real buzz of expectation and a feeling that Cornwall is at
last being given the attention that it deserves from central government.
The exhibits covered everything from rail, road and air
expansion plans, to the Spaceport at Newquay airport and the wave hub at
Hayle. First Group took the opportunity
to launch their new or rather, old, brand GWR and their new sleeper
carriages. It is exciting to see the
iconic brand return to our railways alongside new and improved rolling
stock.
Patrick McLoughlin, the Secretary of State for Transport,
attended the event and gave the keynote speech.
He noted the progress that Cornwall has already made in the transport
sector and finished his speech; “So now, with a clear mandate from the general election, we can press
forward with our long-term transport plan for Cornwall. We have the funding, the vision and the
political will to deliver the transport changes the southwest needs. Over the next 5 years we will work with you
to make sure Cornish businesses play a full part in Britain’s economic
recovery.”
There are exciting times ahead at Newquay Airport. On Tuesday night I met with members of the
Bloodhound Supersonic Car team. They are
very enthusiastic about the time they will be spending at Newquay next year
testing the car in preparation for the world land speed record attempt in South
Africa. They are likely to be at Newquay
Airport for a month and I encouraged them to make the car available to as many
local people as possible during that time.
The possibility of the UK Spaceport being sited at Newquay
Airport was also explored on one of the stands at the Expo. I believe that Newquay remains the most
obvious choice for the UK Spaceport.
Newquay has one of the longest runways in the UK, appropriate airport
infrastructure and is located in a county that would offer many other
attractions to space tourists. I will
continue to lobby for Newquay as the obvious choice as the Government moves
into the next stage of decision making.
Apart from the airport developments, it is time Newquay had
its fair share of European funding. The
LEP will be coming to the Town Council Committee Room, Newquay at 2pm, on 9th
November to discuss how to apply for funding.
I encourage you to attend if you are considering expanding your
business. Let us work together to ensure
that Newquay gets all of the support and help that is available.
