NORTH KENT: Boris - 'I don't want Thames Estuary airport' (From News Shopper)
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NORTH KENT: Boris - 'I don't want Thames Estuary airport'
12:56pm Friday 5th March 2010 in News By David Mills
Does Boris Johnson really want to build an airport in the Thames Estuary?
THE Mayor of London Boris Johnson has said on television he does “not want to build an airport in the Thames Estuary”.
Mr Johnson has previously proposed building a £40bn airport dubbed Boris Island as an alternative to having a third runway at Heathrow.
But on BBC’s Question Time last night, the Mayor was accused by host David Dimbleby of undercutting Conservative Party leader David Cameron by going against Tory policy, which does not support building the airport.
Mr Johnson said: “That is complete codswallop. I dispute every single one of your assertions. I don't want to build an airport in the Thames Estuary.”
However a statement issued by the Mayor’s office today says building the airport has not been ruled out.
A spokesman said: “The Mayor was referring to the fact that there are no actual plans in place to build an airport.
“However he believes the complex and critical decisions on Britain's aviation future require mature exploration of every possible option.
“He has set up a steering group whose role is to oversee further study and research on issues in the estuary such as energy, flood management, transport, ecology and regeneration.
“Their research will be invaluable when deciding if a new airport there could meet London's future needs.”
Mr Johnson’s proposal has faced mounting opposition from groups including Dartford Council, Medway Council and Kent County Council as well as the RSPB, as the airport would fall within a hub for hundreds of thousands of migrant birds.
The Board of Airline Representatives UK, which represents more than 90 airlines including British Airways, Air France and Virgin Atlantic, is the latest group to oppose the project.
Chief executive of the board Mike Carrivick said: “We're not objecting to the construction of an airport, but it's in the wrong place, it's as simple as that.
“It's in a transport cul-de-sac. The whole market place which uses it has to approach from one side.
“It's got to be understood any airport has immense infrastructure for freight, hotels, passenger handling.
“It will impact on towns, businesses, local roads, motorways, railways and schools.”
Mr Carrivick also warned against the threat of bird strikes after a US Airways plane crash landed on the Hudson river in New York.
The plane was believed to have been struck by birds.
argid says...
2:56pm Mon 22 Mar 10
Dear New Shopper,
With reference to your article of 10th March, ‘Boris doesn’t want to build estuary airport’!
Recently on ‘Question Time’ Boris Johnson was one of the panel guests. After Mr Johnson tried to answer a question from the audience, a young lady in the audience addressed him with the words, and I quote:” Boris, why don’t you just say you don’t know, instead of incessantly waffling on!”
Reading your article I feel the same applies again ie,
Boris doesn’t want an estuary airport, but previously he proposed just that.
When accused of going against Tory policy not to build the airport, he calls it ‘complete codswallop’.
Then the Major’s office issues a statement that the airport has not been ruled out, and has even commissioned a group to oversee further studies and research at great expense.
So waffle on Mr Johnson and waste more of taxpayer’s money for something that nobody in their right mind should support.
Argid Langsbury
Copy to Mayor of London
Dear New Shopper,
With reference to your article of 10th March, ‘Boris doesn’t want to build estuary airport’!
Recently on ‘Question Time’ Boris Johnson was one of the panel guests. After Mr Johnson tried to answer a question from the audience, a young lady in the audience addressed him with the words, and I quote:” Boris, why don’t you just say you don’t know, instead of incessantly waffling on!”
Reading your article I feel the same applies again ie,
Boris doesn’t want an estuary airport, but previously he proposed just that.
When accused of going against Tory policy not to build the airport, he calls it ‘complete codswallop’.
Then the Major’s office issues a statement that the airport has not been ruled out, and has even commissioned a group to oversee further studies and research at great expense.
So waffle on Mr Johnson and waste more of taxpayer’s money for something that nobody in their right mind should support.
Argid Langsbury