Why Doncaster Sheffield Airport needs to be a success as the final hurdle to reopening is cleared
The passing of the last legislative hurdle for the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA), after councillors approved £57m in borrowing to support the project, is to be cautiously welcomed. As Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said, people now want to see action.
The project to reopen DSA has to be viewed holistically. This isn’t just about getting passengers flying in and out of South Yorkshire but rather a key piece of the economic puzzle being put in place.
DSA has the potential to be the catalyst for much needed economic growth in this part of the world. The keyword being potential.
This wouldn’t be the first time that the potential of DSA has been talked up. Even under its previous owners, before the airport shut in 2022, a lot of talk centred around what DSA could deliver for the wider region.
Local leaders deserve credit for getting this project off the ground. As well as complex financial calculations, it takes great courage for elected representatives to place faith in the potential of DSA. Especially when the previous owners were unable to turn it into a profitable operation.
And the stakes could not be higher given the significant investment that is required. People will be wishing local leaders the best of luck but they have to accept that scrutiny will only ramp up given how much public money is at stake.
The Government must also stand ready to support local leaders. This is just as much a test of Westminster’s resolve as it is of South Yorkshire’s to start delivering on infrastructure.
While Doncaster Sheffield becoming the gateway to the world will be welcomed. The checks and balances need to be world class. For the sake of the future of public infrastructure investment, there can be no slip ups.