The overlong and overcharged debate about the airport expansion in the south-east has until recently been conducted with an exclusively London-centric focus, with the arguments for and against expanding the capacity at Heathrow.

The government has now opted for Heathrow but there is a long way to go before any construction takes place. It is hugely disappointing that a ‘vanity’ protest by Zac Goldsmith has been allowed to denigrate our democratic process and the aviation sector. A resignation of the party whip would have sufficed and cost taxpayers less money.

What is even more demoralising is the call by some Labour members of parliament not to contest the forthcoming byelection. Labour voters across the country in national, regional and local elections should be able to vote for a Labour candidate that is the least they can expect as our members. Local members count.

Regional airports need our vision and our support. Regional airports provide connectivity to our world. There is strong evidence that not having an airport or convenient air access harms investment and business activity to an area. Regional airports boost both economic and social opportunities in areas. The number of passengers and airfreight being main drivers of building a healthy regional gross value added. Growth creates in turn higher passenger numbers, connectivity and trade.

Infrastructure investment is vital for the development of regional airports. Governments need to clarify the availability of funding and the wider risks to investment. Taking years to again put off vital decisions on development is a sure fire way of increasing costs and increase negative impacts on communities in the vicinity of the proposed build.

Supporting the political process to mitigate risk to our environment, our communities, and areas requires cross party support. Consensus is best in big infrastructure projects. Most airports have serious impacts, good and bad on a cluster of local authorities in an airport area. The new powers devolved to the West Midlands combined authority have highlighted cooperation when it comes to planning policies.

The election of a regional mayor in the West Midlands will start to bring fresh impetus to the aspiration of expanding Birmingham airport. Labour candidate Sion Simon responding to the government announcement of a third runway at Heathrow said ‘in failing to prioritise new aviation capacity for the West Midlands today once again, we have been let down’.

Birmingham and West Midlands have a proud history of innovation, manufacture and trade. Regional airport connectivity to enhance tourism, trade and access to overseas markets will have a significance as they bring opportunities, to local people, place and prosperity.

HS2 with an expansion of Birmingham airport plans would bring 55m passengers by 2050 double the current airport capacity of 25m. A second runway is crucial to take advantage of the HS2 rail line, due to open in 2026. The new line includes a station by the airport. Once HS2 is complete Birmingham will be at the heart of a world-class transport network. Connecting our dynamic region to the United Kingdom and wider world.

Having the vision to support, investment in regional airports is a must for our country. Knowing how to reach out and take advantage of new infrastructure investment is key. Politicians must improve their approach and understanding of the impact of regional airports. Repeating the ugly incoherent process around the south-east and London centric options and specifically over Heathrow is just not acceptable or beneficial to the aviation sector.

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Doug James is a candidate in the councillors’ section in the Progress strategy board elections. He tweets at @darlodoug

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