NORTH KENT: Thames Estuary 'Boris Island' airport would be bird strike hazard

7:00am Tuesday 20th October 2009

By David Mills

BUILDING an airport in the Thames Estuary could lead to bird strikes, congestion in the sky and create noise problems, according to opponents of the plan.

A study commissioned by Mayor of London Boris Johnson has found the floating airport to be technically feasible.

Although no flight paths have been discussed, the estimated £40bn project nicknamed 'Boris Island', has come under a barage of criticism.

The so called ‘island’ airport would fall within a hub for hundreds of thousands of migrant birds.

Dartford Council leader Councillor Jeremy Kite says it is “a ridiculous plan” and warns of the dangers of potential bird strikes.

“All around the world people have avoided building airports in traditional wetlands.

“If you build an airport next door the fact is you are going to pull an aircraft down. It's not an exaggeration.

Chris Corrigan, RSPB regional director for London and the south east, says the bird strike hazard would be up to 12 times higher than at any other major UK airport.

He said: “The airport would damage or destroy huge areas of legally protected habitat.”

John Stewart, chairman of HACAN Clear Skies, which campaigns on behalf of people affected by airplane flightpaths, says an airport could create significant noise problems for the area.

He said: “Although many planes will come in and out over the sea, if you're talking about a huge airport the noise is bound to impact on some of the areas in Kent and Essex.

“If it's something the equivalent to Heathrow then I think Dartford can expect regular flights overhead.”

Councillor Paul Carter, the leader of Kent County Council, believes developing the airport at Manston offers a better solution than building a new one in the Thames Estuary, a view shared by Cllr Kite.

Cllr Carter said: "It makes sense to sweat the assets already available to us in the South East. Kent International Airport at Manston, for example, has one of the longest runways in Europe.

“Manston could, at far less cost be connected to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link domestic services for fast journey times from London to Kent.

“Manston could also handle six million passenger movements a year which would boost the local economy in an area of high deprivation. Far more sensible in our view.”

Planners would also have to deal with SS Richard Montgomery, a ship sunk in the Estuary during the Second World War, which has high explosives on board the equivalent to 2,800 V1 flying bombs.

Mr Johnson is looking to build a new airport as an alternative to a third runway at Heathrow.

A spokesman for the Mayor said: “The report recommends the establishment of a working group to oversee further studies that will properly consider issues such as energy, flood management, transport, ecology and regeneration.

“The Mayor accepts this recommendation, and is therefore setting up a Thames Estuary Steering Group, including members from industry, business, and from across the political spectrum, to oversee further study and research.”