NORTH KENT: Thames Estuary island airport could be built in 10 years (From News Shopper)

NORTH KENT: Thames Estuary island airport could be built in 10 years

4:38pm Monday 13th July 2009 in

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AN ISLAND airport in the Thames Estuary off north Kent could be completed in 10 years, it has been reported.

The controversial £40b project is the brainchild of Mayor of London Boris Johnson, and leading civil engineer Douglas Oakervee has been commissioned to examine whether it is feasible.

Mr Oakervee’s report is due to be presented to the mayor in three weeks, but yesterday (July 12) the Sunday Times reported he had concluded the airport is possible and could be finished within 10 years.

It said the engineer, who was behind Hong Kong's international airport, has determined that a four-runway airport across two islands, linked to mainland terminals by bridges or tunnels, could be built.

Mr Oakervee is to discuss the initial findings of the report with a panel of experts at the Institution of Civil Engineers in London on Wednesday.

In January Mr Johnson said: “With Gatwick full to bursting and Heathrow’s third runway bitterly contested – and I bet it never gets built – it is ever more urgent that we investigate the possibility of a long-term solution in the form of a new and more eco-friendly international airport at a site in the Thames estuary.”

However, Kent County Council has criticised the plans.

Council leader Councillor Paul Carter said: "Environmentally and ecologically it's a very bad idea to build an airport off one of the most beautiful coastlines in the South East.

"To say it will be an eyesore is the understatement of the year. It would be totally horrendous.

"I know all the residents will be absolutely furious about this.”

Dartford Council’s councillor for the ward of Joyce Green, Matt Bryant, has also criticised the idea, saying it will disrupt his constituents quality of life.

Mr Bryant, who is the deputy leader of the Dartford Labour group, said: “An airport in the Thames estuary would have a major impact on the whole of north Kent in terms of noise and ruining the local environment, particularly the wildlife the Thames estuary is famous for.”