A decision by the Department for International Development (DFID) to delay negotiations over a new airport for St Helena has been met with dismay by the South Atlantic island's governor, Andrew Gurr.

Plans for an airport on the British dependency were announced by DFID in 2005, but a ministerial statement by Douglas Alexander on 8 December revealed that talks will be put on hold for the foreseeable future.

St Helena is currently only accessible by sea from ports in Africa or the Ascension Islands, aboard the RMS St Helena, which is due to reach the end of its working life in 2010.

Gurr said: "The construction of an airport is vital to stimulate economic development and reverse the decline in population. At present there is only limited access to St Helena by sea. An airport would bring about an unprecedented stimulus to the island and its inhabitants."

A separate statement from the island's Legislative Councillors, added: "The project has been seven years in the making, during which the plight of St Helena has worsened. The UK has a legal responsibility to ensure the political, economic and social development of overseas territories.

"The longer a decision on the airport is delayed, the more costly it will be for UK taxpayers and the people of St Helena alike. Doing nothing is not an option."