Boris defiantly stands by Thames Estuary airport

Boris Johnson has renewed his controversial support for the construction of an airport on the Thames Estuary which he says could replace Heathrow.

The London mayor this week presided over a feasibility study that endorsed proposals for a £40 billion airport located several miles off the Essex and Kent coasts.

Despite being labelled "ludicrous" by a panoply of environmental groups and aviation experts, Boris is now pressing ahead with the plans by setting up a steering group.

Medway Council, Kent County Council and the RSPB have launched an online petition opposing the "undeliverable, unaffordable and unnecessary" gateway.

But according to the final results of the mayor's feasibility study there are no "overwhelming constraints" which would impede construction of the ambitious airport.

"The area of the Thames Estuary does not present any insoluble issues regarding weather, geology, hydrography, shipping lanes, fishing activities, leisure services or other physical obstructions," engineer and study author Douglas Oakervee concluded.

Boris responded to the findings by setting up a ten-member steering group that includes Tory MP Bernard Jenkin and Labour backbencher Nick Raynsford.

The group will conduct "further consideration" and research into the Thames Estuary airport, addressing key issues such as energy supplies, transport links, flood management measures and the oft-cited concern about bird-strikes in the wildlife sanctuary.

But most critics remain sceptical, with Dartford Council leader Jeremy Kite complaining: "Birds and aircraft do not mix. It's a ludicrous place for an airport.

"All around the world people have avoided building airports in traditional wetlands," the councillor was quoted by thisislocallondon.co.uk as saying. "If you build an airport next door the fact is you are going to pull an aircraft down. It's not an exaggeration."

© Cheapflights Ltd

Comments

[Malcolm]

Whilst I agree with the idea of the Thames airport it should be remembered that a lengthy rail link would be needed and that at present rail services come to a halt in London at around midnight. Therefore 24 hour usage of such an airport would not be feasible without major changes to the infrastructure. Also I assume this airport would only have a single runway. So with only one runway and no flights possible after midnight it would have half the present capacity of Heathrow.
Far better to enlarge Manston and link the airport to the Tunnel rail link to London in one direction and Europe in the other.

[Rob]

A small correction to Malcolm: they are planning to build two runways.

[James]

Four runways I think.