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With the States of Guernsey due to debate a multi million pound project to redevelop Alderney's airport and runway this, young professionals were despatched to try and convince deputies to agree to the plans.
Five parents and their young children flew into Guernsey earlier this week, to meet Guernsey's politicians, to discuss "the importance of future proofing (Alderney's) air links".
Beth Chapman, Ian and Jo Corder, and Holly and Del Chandler, and their respective children, were said to be representing "Alderney's young families and the business community" in the meetings.
Mrs Chandler, Mr Corder, and Ms Chapman each spoke with politicians in Guernsey where they asked them to back Option C+ when it comes up for debate today.
Pictured: Option C+ is seen by many as the preferred plans for redeveloping Alderney's airport.
The debate on the future of Alderney's runway and airport terminal building is expected to start today. It is unlikely to conclude before the end of today as there are at least five amendments to the official proposals due to be lodged.
The States of Alderney have committed to contributing £3.5million to the project, but only if Option C+ is passed.
Alderney's States Members have said they won't borrow that money unless the preferred option is passed.
Mrs Chandler, Mr Corder, and Ms Chapman all asked deputies to vote for Option C+ saying that the plans to extend the runway to take larger aircraft along with redeveloping the terminal and fire station, are vital to the future prosperity of the island.
“We have an important message on behalf of our generation and the next generation of Alderney,” said Mrs Chandler, described by the States of Alderney as a "businesswoman, parent and commuter".
“We wanted to share our message in person on why the runway extension is essential for the future of Alderney and in turn the success of the Bailiwick," she said, explaining that she believes the only way to reverse the decline in business and tourism, the population and the number of young families living in Alderney is to "grasp the opportunities that only Option C+ would provide".
Pictured: Beth Chapman (left), Jo and Ian Corder (centre), Holly and Del Chandler (right) are pictured at Alderney Airport with their children earlier this week.
Mr Corder, a Guernsey business owner who lives in Alderney, told Deputies there were "uge economic benefits to the Bailiwick as a whole" if they vote for an extended runway, including "not to be missed" opportunities in renewable energy, finance industry collaboration, technology and the e-gaming industry pioneered on Alderney.
Ms Chapman, described as "a long-standing Alderney resident and a director of an Island estate agency", said: “We are becoming more concerned at people putting their homes up for sale to leave the island mainly because of the unreliability of our air transport due to the impact of being off-loaded from the Dornier in wet weather, the plane going tech or being taken out of service through another air taxi call-out from our hospital.
“How many families, working individuals and companies could we potentially lose if the infrastructure isn’t there? Alderney would then be a retirement isle – a drain on the economy with less funds into the tax pot.”
She added: “There is much more demand than the Dorniers can cope with especially at Easter, Summer and Christmas, and at festivals such as Literary, Art and Fishing, and sporting events both on and off the island such as football, rugby, cricket and hill climb.”
Pictured: The Alderney contingent met Guernsey deputies earlier this week, ahead of the debate on Alderney's airport and runway starting today.
The trio also quoted other supporters of Option C+ in their discussions with deputies including:
Guy Hands, Founder and Chairman of Terra Firma: "The real cost of not allowing the island to have a runway that could accommodate larger aircraft, whether Aurigny or not, would require unaffordable annual subsidies or start-up costs way more than the additional one-off payment of £7m being asked of the Bailiwick tax-payer.”
Martin Belcher, Chairman of Polygon Collective: "Alderney has already shown in its gambling licensing receipts that it can return many millions to the central coffers when it is given the correct tools to work with."
Gavin Rihoy, Managing Director of Rihoy Construction: "We believe that Alderney deserves this investment as much as any other ‘parish’ faced with a similar infrastructural predicament."
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