The key phrase when selling Kent is ‘well connected’ – not just with road infrastructure but rail, air and port.

I can’t think of many places in the UK where you would find that connectivity.

It goes without saying the recent announcement about Manston Airport’s closure was devastating news not just for those that work directly and indirectly for the airport, but for the county as a whole.

The hope of a new buyer is fading fast. There is a strong desire among both the public and private sectors to keep the airport running.

Just look at the positive work done around the closure of Pfizer. Now known as the Discovery Park, with enterprise zone status, the site is back up to around 1,500 jobs and one of the most successful enterprise zones in the country.

It just goes to show that when the public and private sectors come together – working towards the same end – it has a strong positive impact.

We talk a lot about the potential of Manston, the positive impacts of High Speed 1, Eurotunnel and Eurostar. However, we don’t talk as much about our ports.

Somehow we seem to just leave them doing business as usual and often overlook the strategic importance they have for our county now and in the future.

About 2.2 million freight vehicles a year use the port of Dover carrying goods worth an estimated £89 billion. It’s one of the busiest ferry ports in Europe.

The news that they are looking at reviving the Western Docks to create a new cargo terminal – on top of the current investment of £85 million in upgrading the Eastern Docks – will certainly add much needed value to Kent.

People are estimating the investment in the docks could create around 600 new jobs and about £25m gross value added for the district. There are not many schemes around at present that can rival that.

For our future aspirations for the county we need to ensure that we have continued investment in all of our key assets, and that most definitely includes local airports like Manston.