Report backs Boris' Sheppey airport vision
AN AIRPORT off Sheppey is one step closer to becoming a reality after a Boris Johnson-appointed study backed the idea, but councils are teaming up to stop it from happening.
Putting the £40 billion, airport with up to six runways on artificial islands just a few miles off the Sheppey coast would be the best option to prevent more building at Heathrow, according to the Thames Estuary Report Feasibility Review.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, who commissioned the study is now planning to set up a Thames Estuary Steering Group made up of industry, business, and political-types, to oversee further research.
The already much-criticised plans have come under fire from Kent County Council, Medway Council and the RSPB who have teamed up to sink the "undeliverable, unaffordable and unnecessary" airport by launching an online petition.
The 64-page feasibility review by engineer Doug Oakervee was published on Monday (October 19). Mr Oakervee, who oversaw a similar airport in Hong Kong, was commissioned carry out the study last November.
In the report, he writes: "Provided it is located such that aircraft landing and taking off will not cause a nuisance to the residents living in the adjacent coastal towns, an airport in the Thames Estuary could operate on a 24 hour basis and would also present a major challenge to the competing European airports of Amsterdam, Paris and Brussels."
KCC leader Paul Carter attacked the airport as "undeliverable, unaffordable and unnecessary."
He 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 for fast journey times from London to Kent. It 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."
Medway Council leader, Cllr Rodney Chambers, called on people to make their voices heard over the "pie in the sky" scheme.
He said: "As far as we are concerned, this is a case of 'here we go again'. Seven years ago, we showed that a similar scheme based off of Cliffe was unworkable. We got that stopped and we shall do the same with this."
RSPB regional director Chris Corrigan said the charity was wholly opposed to the airport because of the immense damage it would cause to the area's wildlife and environment.
Also against the airport was Swale Council leader, Cllr Andrew Bowles, who commented: "The council haven't discussed it recently but we've been on record for not having any enthusiasm for the idea at all. If it goes much further than this we will have to have a proper informed debate. We regard the cost and environmental implications as making it an unlikely runner."
The Thames Estuary Report Feasibility Review can be seen at www.testred.co.uk. KCC, Medway Council and the RSPB's petition can be found at www.stopestuaryairport.co.uk.
What do you think? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
4 Comments
by Jeff Haskins, Rochester
Monday, November 09 2009, 6:03PM
“When Boris Johnson became Mayor of London I thought he was just an amusing idiot. Sadly, it is now clear that he is also totally brainless!
How can someone who has been elected to control the City of London be able to promote the idea of a massive development 30 miles outside of his demise? He has also used ratepayer¿s money to pay for extremely expensive consultant¿s reports to look at the feasibility of this ridiculous scheme. To the best of my knowledge he has never tried to hold any dialogue with the residents of Medway or North Kent to discuss this proposal. We have been totally ignored. Maybe we should suggest building a new coal fired power station in Hyde Park.!!”
by Mrs Steward, Whitstable
Wednesday, November 04 2009, 7:39PM
“I have just read this report and I am completely discusted with the whole idea. Why go and ruin both sides of the Thames? Ruin the Essex side and the Kent side? This would destroy the quality of living, house prices and the natural beauty of these areas, let alone the sea and bird life. It is the most rediculous idea. There are plenty of other options where airports can be expanded, Manston, Southend, Stanstead and Heathrow for example. At least the population around these areas are accustomed to that runway of life. Both Manston and Southend are underused and could benefit from regeneration, rather than another expensive project. Lets put the money back into society and start improving the lives of people.”
by Chris Willott, Sheerness and DRC
Saturday, October 24 2009, 9:59AM
“Mr Mallett's comment, with the advantage of a good viewpoint well above the tide line, is the first I have seen to echo a suggestion sent, not with any great hope, to Boris Johnson some months ago. This is to extend the eastern ends of the airport islands and use them to "anchor " a dike running from the Kent coast east of Sheppey, linked southwards into an upgraded Thanet Way and the Kent coast to London rail lines,and stretching northwards across to the Essex shore.
The dike would carry road and rail connections between Europe and all of London's northern hinterland without touching London, and could also be configured as a definitiveThames tidal barrier instead of the smaller schemes currently under discussion, which will leave the much-discussed wetlands and bird sanctuaries out in the cold when the water level climbs.
Essex residents would obviously not relish the development of further major transport arteries across their lovely county, but surely a great deal of the pressure around London which I saw on a recent trip from Sheppey to Norwich - pressure from people going into London and those wanting to pass it by, could and should be relieved by this diversion?
The benefits of the extension of this project, to serve broader public and national interests than those of Boris's NIMBY but eminently justifiable proposal, need to be the subject of wider and informed debate.”
by Simon Mallett, North Downs, Kent
Thursday, October 22 2009, 9:02AM
“Who in their right mind would want to build an airport at Heathrow, just because its developed from an old military airport is no excuse!
I really struggle to understand the objections to this plan. A development that will have little negative impact on anybody and which will lead to an improvement in the lifestyle of so many in the Heathrow area! As to suggesting Manston as an alternative, do the people of Thanet really want their sky to be a major flight path?
The Thames proposal has so much going for it, the development could be enhanced to include sea defences for London.
They could also put KIG there!”