Sunderland Council supports Lib Dem plan on renaming Newcastle Airport
A bid by Wearside Liberal Democrats to support renaming Newcastle Airport has passed its first hurdle as city councillors in Sunderland gave a plan their backing.
Councillors from all political parties gave agreed to a resolution to contact the airport's directors to ask them to consider a suitable new name for the Airport.
The decision was taken at a meeting of all 75 councillors last night (23rd June) after opposition Lib Dems put forward the suggestion of 'Newcastle Sunderland International Airport' to reflect both cities in Tyne and Wear which it serves.
Speaking after the council meeting, Lib Dem councillor for Grindon and Thorney Close Paul Edgeworth said:
"Councillors from all political parties in Sunderland have recognised that our regional airport needs to consider changing its name to better reflect the places it serves and to show that there's more to the North East than just Newcastle.
"Liberal Democrats are clear that this new name should be 'Newcastle Sunderland International Airport' to reflect the two great cities it serves - just like Leeds Bradford and Doncaster Sheffield airports.
"Sunderland Council owns the airport just as much as Newcastle, so it's absolutely right that we are reflected in its name. A name change would help show the world that Sunderland is a great North East city just as much as Newcastle - and attract more businesses, jobs, investment and students to Wearside in the process.
"It is now up to the Leader of the Council to fight tooth and nail to renegotiate with other airport directors to get them to agree to Sunderland being included the airport's name. For once this Council's leadership must do what it best for Sunderland and not just roll over and be told what to do by Labour bosses on Tyneside."