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Boris Island: A Flight Of Fancy?
During recent weeks, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson has been pressured to drop his pie in the sky plans to build a six-runway airport in the Thames Estuary. Why is the Mayor so keen to support the 40 billion project and what other solutions have been suggested to combat the capitals airport problems? Chantl du Plooy investigates.
An option for Londons long-term aviation needs
Britain has been seeking an alternative for Londons ever-increasing flights into Heathrow and Gatwick airports for years. Recently, suggestions for a third runway at Heathrow provoked strong opposition and spurred legal issues.
As a result, the Mayor proposed an equally controversial idea: to build a six-runway, 24-hour airport in the Thames Estuary in Kent. His argument is that a new airport on an island off the south-east coast of England will not only create thousands of jobs in construction and aviation, but will also enhance the countrys economy substantially.
Johnson brought Dough Oakervee, executive chair of Crossrail, on board to lead a feasibility study on the project. Oakervee was part of the Hong Kong airport project, making him an ideal candidate to establish the viability of an airport in the Thames Estuary.
On returning from a visit to the site at the beginning of last year, the Mayor commented that he was positive that a new airport in the Thames estuary has got to be factored in as an option for Londons long-term aviation needs.
After the initial feasibility study, Oakervee unveiled that the airport would be challenging and expensive, but that it was definitely a realistic option. Further studies on the issues of energy, flood management, transport, ecology and regeneration are currently underway.
Other good news for the proposed project is that potential investors from outside the country have expressed their financial support for the costly development.
Concerns
Medway Council in Kent has put together a report outlining evidence and research that they hope will stop the project in its tracks. . According to the study, nine out of 10 airlines currently using Heathrow Airport, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, are against the idea.
According to the Board of Airline Representatives UK (BAR UK), more competition for Heathrow will cost jobs and an estuary airport will create a risk of bird strikes.
Jenny Jones, a Green party London assembly member, backed concerns from BAR UK and told to the Guardian that over 200,000 birds use the estuary during winter alone.
Their presence would pose a serious risk of bird strike, a threat that would be impossible to avert.
Councillor Rodney Chambers, Leader of Medway Council, believes there are better solutions to the citys aviation dilemma.
Manston Airport in Kent has one of the longest runways in Europe and is close to a high-speed rail link.
And not only does Birmingham want to expand but, in a recent survey, nearly half of Londoners said they would fly from there if the high-speed train link earmarked between the capital and Britains second city goes ahead, he wrote in Mayor Watch.
With the Thames Estuary Airport scheme receiving severe criticism and opposition from local councillors, airlines, environmental groups and even the public, it seems as if the Mayors idea has a slim chance of succeeding.
Perhaps this is why he recently said that he didnt want to build an airport in the Thames Estuary during a live broadcast of Question Time on BBC One.
The Mayors office later released a statement saying: The mayor was referring to the fact that there are no actual plans in place to build an airport.
While the promise of much-needed jobs is enticing, it remains to be seen whether Boris Johnson will continue to support this ambitious scheme in the run-up to the general election.
About the Author
Chantel is a regular contributor of career advice and jobs news for leading UK Job Board http://www.careersandjobsuk.com Link text
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