Tees Valley metro Mayor candidate unveils plan for 'long-term future' for Durham Tees Valley airport

Durham Tees Valley Airport - its future has been a subject of much discussion Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

Tees Valley metro Mayor candidate Sue Jeffrey has unveiled her plan to secure a long-term future for Durham Tees Valley airport.

Sue, Labour's candidate in this May's elections, said now was the time to renew plans to grow the airport.

Sue said she would focus on delivering a series of practical steps to secure the long-term future of the airport

  • Plans to seek government approval to establish an Enterprise Zone at the airport

  • Investment from the mayor's development fund to support proposals to open up business sites on the North side of the airport and the phased development of the South side.

  • Proposals to improve connectivity including new rail links, better bus connections and improvements to road links.

  • Support for developing high quality apprenticeships and training programmes in the aviation engineering sector and associated careers.

  • Better promotion of the airport and associated business opportunities

The Metro Mayor elections on May 4 will see a mayor appointed to lead on job creation in Darlington, Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland.

As well as Ms Jeffrey, the other declared candidates are Chris Foote Wood for the Liberal Democrats, Hartlepool councillor John Tennant for Ukip, Ben Houchen Conservative candidate, and John Tait for the North-East Party.